"I will go in alone, Dr. Le Guise."
"As you please." Then, as it were an afterthought. "I really believe, for your own safety, you had better keep Henry near you."
"I shall be in no danger," she replied, and entered the outer chamber, closing and locking the door after herself.
In answer to her knock, the door of the ante-chamber was unlocked and opened by Henry. Madeline swept across the threshold and extended her hand to the faithful fellow, saying:
"Henry, I am glad to see you. I hope you do not find your present duties too heavy?"
"Not since I knew I was serving you, miss," said the man, respectfully.
"You are serving me, Henry. I need you here very much; and rest assured you shall have your reward for all you have done or may do for me."
Evidently the prospect of reward was not unpleasing to him. His countenance beamed satisfaction.
"And, Henry," continued his mistress, "attend to this. You are not, on any account, to give your charge any more of the medicine prepared for him by the doctor."
A look of surprise shone from the eyes of the negro, but he answered simply, like the well-trained servant he was: "Yes, miss."