It was evident that poor Madge was no longer the mistress; the clerk was an emissary of Mrs.King's, and as such he had taken the control.

Still, as he was an amiable and capable person, Courthope fell in with his suggestion, inwardly vowing that soon of some domain, if not of this one, Madge should again be queen.
Courthope received a message to the effect that the young ladies wished to see him.

There was something in the formal wording of this message, coming after his solitary meal, which made him know that they were ill at ease, that they had taken their mistake more deeply to heart than he would have wished.

He had no sooner entered the room where Madge stood than he wished he were well out of it again, so far did his sympathy with her discomfort transcend his own pleasure at being in her presence.
Madge stood, as upon the first night, behind her sister's chair.

Eliz looked frightened and excited, yet as half enjoying the novel excitement.