“Have you noticed Madeline particularly, during the last few days?” inquired Mr. Fleetwood, after a pause.
“Particularly? How?” Mrs. Dainty looked curiously at the old gentleman.
“Do you see no change in her since that remarkable experience with Mrs. Jeckyl?”
“No,” was answered, without hesitation.
“I have.”
“Indeed! you are sharp-sighted, Uncle John!” Mrs. Dainty spoke lightly.
“Love is always sharp-sighted when danger is about,” was sententiously answered.
“You are fanciful.”
“No, Madeline!” The countenance of Mr. Fleetwood became still more serious. “No, Madeline; I am not a dealer in light fancies, but a man of sober thoughts and direct purposes, as you have reason to know. There is a change in our little pet, and one boding, I fear, unhappy consequences, unless she is at once surrounded by counteracting influences. The spirit of that bad woman, in overshadowing her, left something of its darkness on her young spirit.”
Mrs. Dainty sighed unconsciously.