There was doubt in her face as she sat looking
mechanically into the fire. "A poor chance," she thought to herself;
"but, poor as it is, a chance that I must try."
In ten minutes more, Louisa's meek knock was softly audible outside. She
was surprised, on entering the room, to find no other light in it than
the light of the fire.
"Will you have the candles, ma'am?" she inquired, respectfully.
"We will have candles if you wish for them yourself," replied Magdalen;
"not otherwise. I have something to say to you. When I have said it, you
shall decide whether we sit together in the dark or in the light."
Louisa waited near the door, and listened to those strange words in
silent astonishment.
"Come here," said Magdalen, pointing to the empty chair; "come here and
sit down."
Louisa advanced, and timidly removed the chair from its position at her
mistress's side. Magdalen instantly drew it back again. "No!" she said.
"Come closer--come close by me." After a moment's hesitation, Louisa
obeyed.
"I ask you to sit near me," pursued Magdalen, "because I wish to speak
to you on equal terms. Whatever distinctions there might once have been
between us are now at an end.
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