"You are very good," she said to Mrs. Lecount. "I make no claim to be
treated with any extraordinary consideration. I am a governess, and I
don't expect it. I have only one favor to ask. I beg Mr. Noel Vanstone,
for his own sake, to hear what I have to say to him."
"You understand, sir?" observed Mrs. Lecount. "It appears that Miss
Garth has some serious warning to give you. She says you are to hear
her, for your own sake."
Mr. Noel Vanstone's fair complexion suddenly turned white. He put away
the plate of strawberries among his father's bargains. His hand shook
and his little figure twisted itself uneasily in the chair. Magdalen
observed him attentively. "One discovery already," she thought; "he is a
coward!"
"What do you mean, ma'am?" asked Noel Vanstone, with visible trepidation
of look and manner. "What do you mean by telling me I must listen to you
for my own sake? If you come her to intimidate me, you come to the wrong
man. My strength of character was universally noticed in our circle at
Zurich--wasn't it, Lecount?"
"Universally, sir," said Mrs. Lecount. "But let us hear Miss Garth.
Perhaps I have misinterpreted her meaning."
"On the contrary," replied Magdalen, "you have exactly expressed my
meaning.
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