Agnes was conquered, and quite as much bewildered as Maddy had been;
she heard only in part how Maddy Clyde was henceforth to be treated.
"Yes, yes," she gasped at last, as Guy talked on, "stop now, for
mercy's sake, and I'll do anything, only not this morning, my head
aches so I cannot go to the breakfast table; I must be excused," and
holding her temples, which were throbbing with pain, induced by strong
excitement, Agnes hurried to her own room and threw herself upon the
bed, angry, mortified and subdued.
The breakfast bell had rung twice while Guy was holding that interview
with Agnes, and at last Mrs. Noah came up herself to learn the cause
of the delay; standing in the hall she heard a part of what was
transpiring in the parlor. Mrs. Noah was proud and jealous of her
master's dignity, and once or twice the thought had crossed her mind
that perhaps when he came home Maddy would be treated more as some
governesses were treated by their employers, but to have Agnes take
the matter up was quite a different thing, and Mrs. Noah smiled with
grim satisfaction, as she heard Guy issuing orders as to how Miss
Clyde should be treated. Standing back to let Agnes pass, she waited a
moment, and then, as if she had just come up, presented herself before
Guy, asking if he were ready for breakfast.
"Yes, call Miss Clyde; tell her I sent for her," was Guy's answer, and
forthwith Mrs. Noah repaired to Maddy's room, finding her still
sobbing bitterly.
"I cannot go down," she said; "my face is all stains, and it's so
dreadful, happening on Sunday, too. What would grandpa say?"
"You can wash off the stains. Come," Mrs. Noah said, pouring water
into the bowl, and bidding Maddy hurry, "as Mr. Guy was waiting
breakfast for her."
"But I am not to eat with them," Maddy began, when Mrs. Noah stopped
her by explaining how Guy ruled that house, and Agnes had been
completely routed.
This did not quiet Maddy particularly, and her heart beat painfully as
she descended to the parlor, where Guy was still walking up and down.
"Come, Miss Clyde, Jessie is nearly famished," he said pleasantly, as
Maddy appeared, and without the slightest reference to what had passed
he drew Maddy's arm within his own, and giving a hand to Jessie, who
had just come in, he went to the breakfast room, where Maddy was told
to preside.
Guy watched her closely without seeming to do so, mentally deciding
that she was neither vulgar nor awkward. On the contrary, he thought
her very pretty, and very graceful for one so unaccustomed to society.
Nothing was said of Agnes, who kept her room the entire day, and did
not join the family until evening, when Guy sat upon the piazza with
Jessie in his lap, while Maddy was not very far away. At first there
was much constraint between Agnes and Maddy, but with Guy to manage,
it soon wore away, and Agnes felt herself exceedingly amiable when she
reflected how gracious she had been to her rival.