Noel Vanstone.
He is alone in the parlor, and this is one of his good days. I have the
influence of an old servant over him, and I will use that influence
with pleasure in your behalf. Shall I go at once?" asked Mrs. Lecount,
rising, with the friendliest anxiety to make herself useful.
"If you please," replied Magdalen; "and if I am not taking any undue
advantage of your kindness."
"On the contrary," rejoined Mrs. Lecount, "you are laying me under an
obligation--you are permitting me, in my very limited way, to assist the
performance of a benevolent action." She bowed, smiled, and glided out
of the room.
Left by herself, Magdalen allowed the anger which she had suppressed
in Mrs. Lecount's presence to break free from her. For want of a nobler
object to attack, it took the direction of the toad. The sight of the
hideous little reptile sitting placid on his rock throne, with his
bright eyes staring impenetrably into vacancy, irritated every nerve
in her body. She looked at the creature with a shrinking intensity of
hatred; she whispered at it maliciously through her set teeth. "I wonder
whose blood runs coldest," she said, "yours, you little monster, or Mrs.
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