The Angel and The Demon CHAPTER 27.
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No word of caution had been spoken in the ears of Agnes by either her father or her mother; and so, with a heart full of joy at the news she had heard, she ran to the chamber where Florence was alone with Madeline, and, throwing her arms around her neck, kissed her, and said —
"Dear sister! Dear sister!"
Florence returned the embrace, and kissed Agnes tenderly.
"Dear sister!" murmured the excited girl, again pressing her lips to the cheek of Miss Harper.
"I am your true friend, Agnes," said the young governess, calmly — "your true and loving friend."
"Be nearer than a friend ; even as a sister. Father says that now you are to be as a daughter in the house. Uncle John has told him all. Oh, I am so glad! so glad!"
The face of Miss Harper grew pale, and she sat very still for some moments.
"Maybe I shouldn't have told you," said Agnes, looking concerned. "But my heart was so full, I could not help it."
"Where is your mother?" asked Florence, after a pause.
"In the library, with father," replied Agnes.
"Will you remain for a little while with Madeline? I wish to see your mother. You will stay with your sister, dear, until I come back?" And she stooped over Madeline.
"You won't stay long, will you?"
"No, I will return soon." And she arose and left the chamber.
Since the remark of Mrs. Dainty, with which the preceding chapter closed, no words had passed between her and her husband. They were still sitting in the library, when the door was pushed quietly open, and the subject of their recent conversation, entered. A glance at her almost pale face, showed that her feelings were strongly agitated. Her manner, as she crossed the room toward Mrs. Dainty, was subdued and respectful. The latter rose as Florence approached her. The struggle with herself was powerful, but brief. Suddenly her cold face was broken by rippling smiles, and, with a warmth of tone and manner that was remarkable, considering the real state of her feelings, she said, grasping the young girl's hand, and kissing her —
"We have heard all, dear Miss Harper, and take you to our home and hearts. Be to us as a daughter, and to our children, who love you, as an elder sister."
"Welcome! Thrice welcome!" said Mr. Dainty, offering his hand.
Florence was so much overcome by this unexpected reception, that she was unable to reply. Her face remained pale and strongly agitated. Before self-control was regained, Mr. Fleetwood entered the library.
"See, Uncle John," cried Mrs. Dainty; "we have already taken this dear, good girl into our love and confidence. She shall be as our daughter!"
Mr. Fleetwood was taken by surprise. He stood still for a moment or two, half bewildered. Then, comprehending the scene, he advanced to Florence, and, drawing an arm around her, said, with much feeling —
"The trial is over, dear child! There are no more rough paths for your tender feet."
And he pressed his lips against her pure forehead. She could bear up under the weight of emotion no longer. Sobs convulsed her, and, as tears poured over her cheeks, she hid her face upon the old man's bosom and wept passionately. Even the worldly, calculating heart of Mrs. Dainty was touched, and Mr. Dainty drew his hand quickly across his eyes to dash away the blinding drops.
"I promised Madeline to return very soon." Florence was the first to gain entire self-control. She spoke in a low but steady voice, as she looked up. "And now I must go back to her. I need not say that my heart is deeply touched by this unexpected occurrence. You offer more than I have any right to claim — more than I desire. Let me still be to your children, as in the beginning. I came as their teacher; I have learned to love them; I am sure that I can do them good."
"The children's teacher, and the mother's friend!" said Mrs. Dainty, whose feelings were taking a higher tone. She saw herself in the right path, although by constraint, and felt that the way before her was easier to walk in, than she had dared to hope.
"Yes — the mother's friend," Mr. Fleetwood spoke slowly and with emphasis; "for none else is worthy to be the children's instructor, companion, and guide."
While he was yet speaking, Florence retired from the room.
"You have done well, Madeline," added Mr. Fleetwood, as the door closed on Florence, "and a great deal better than I had reason to expect. In bending down to one like Miss Harper, and raising her up to the social level you occupy — there is no loss on your part, while the sphere of life in which you move gains largely by an accession of virtue,intelligence, refined taste, and womanly self-reliance. Depend upon it, Madeline, the benefit is largely in your favor. Florence will give more of good than she receives."
"She is certainly a remarkable girl," said Mr. Dainty. "In our late trouble, she exhibited qualities which now excite my admiration. If our dear lost child had been her own sister, she could not have pursued the search with greater assiduity. We owe her more than we can ever repay."
"And there is a work," replied Mr. Fleetwood, speaking in a tone of unusual seriousness, "which, if she has the wisdom to execute, will lay us under still higher obligations."
Uncle John paused. Mr. and Mrs. Dainty looked at him inquiringly.
"Maddy is changed."
He paused again — then added —
"And there is a fearful mystery connected with the change. We trace its beginning from the hour that demon in human guise entered our home, and let the glare of her evil eye fall upon the child. She gained, by some infernal art, control over the will of that child, and led her off a captive, powerless to resist. Thank God, we have rescued her, so far as thebody is concerned. But the thraldom went far below the visible and the external. There is yet a spell upon her life — a spell that must be broken; and I have no hope, except in Florence Harper!"
A shadow of fear settled on the face of Mrs. Dainty.
"It is wonderful," continued Uncle John, "with what wise caution Miss Harper is already acting toward Maddy. Would you believe it? the child not only refused to let Florence read to her from the Bible, but actually sought to destroy the book! And yet the good girl was not turned aside from her holy purpose, but lured the perverse one into the right way. In the end, Maddy listened with deep interest, while Florence read of the Savior's birth. Wise, loving, true-hearted girl! She is the angel in our house, Madeline! Fail not to honor the heavenly guest. She has begun right; let us give her all possible aid, so that the angel may triumph over the demon."
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