In order to explain you a little bit what is going on. Mary is a maid in the house of Richard Spencer and she is a friend of Madeline. Once Richard returns home and cannot find some of his things. Being in a very bad temper he questions Mary where he can find them. However, the poor girl cannot provide him with an adequate reply. Richard loses his temper and shouts at her. That’s when Madeline comes in and says she was the one who took Richard’s belongings, leads him to his room and shows that they are neatly folded and stored in his luggage ready for his trip. Richard says Madeline never fails to surprise him, and she leaves to comfort her friend who is crying in her room in the other part of the house.

“It’s so strange. How come of all the people around him you are the only one completely not afraid of him?”

“This is simple, Mary, everybody sees him in a different way. Frank thinks he is a soldier and Richard is his commander. He would obey any of Richard’s orders without doubt or hesitation. For Mrs. Hudson he is like a son, a little boy she knew and nourished who grew up in a powerful man. She still loves him like her own child and he respects her. He will never behave in any way to offend her, he will never hurt her feelings.

“For you he is an all-mighty master who rules his own universe, so strong and dangerous you believe his only glance can kill. You are nothing to him, just another employee, one of thousands. It’s a miracle he even remembers your name.”

Mary burst in tears again. Madeline hurried to embrace her and continued very mildly.

“I’m sorry, I did not want to upset you. I don’t say he is right. I would like to point out that he treats this way everybody whom he doesn’t consider his family. So please don’t take it on your account. You are a very kind, diligent, supportive girl, you do your work well and you deserve all the respect. Yet he is very hard on you from time to time. And you are so scared of him, scared to do something he wouldn’t like.”

“Is it any different for you? You both seem to argue a lot.”

“Yes, it is different for me for I just see a man with very beautiful blue eyes, the most beautiful I have ever seen, who with all his good looks, wealth and power, knowledge and generous gifts is very unhappy with what he is. What do you think he can do to me? He has already saved me therefore he is not going to kill me. I owe him my life, probably, more than once. All I want is to make him smile again. Everybody deserves to be happy. It’s unfair that he is not. And you are so much luckier than he is — you are in love!”

“I think he is already in love with you,” Mary said warily still without any doubt.

Sound of numerous silver bells filled the room — Madeline was laughing.

“Oh, dear, don’t be silly! Haven’t you seen him? He can have any woman in this world. For all I know he thinks I am the most annoying creature doing everything in my power to irritate him to death. Why on Earth would he fight his own nature and chose me?”

Mary was staring at her in surprise.

“I cannot find words to express how wrong you are. Why wouldn’t he? You are so wonderful!”

“You are too kind to me. You are my friend and you are biased,” Madeline was still laughing.

“Do you love him?” Mary asked unexpectedly.

“I don’t think I am worth him…” Madeline sounded sad. “And,” she added more merrily, “it would be very inconsiderate of me to fall in love with such a man. I know a thousand of women who would suite him better.”

Mary pouted her lips.

“If you say so.” She had no intention to agree with her friend.

“Don’t be sad, my dear! Go to bed, it’s already so late and you have to get up early tomorrow. I’ll try to tell him he was wrong. Just don’t take it to heart too much. I think he had a very difficult day. I don’t justify his actions. I only ask you to be wiser and forgive him generously, will you?”

Before Mary could reply, the most unexpected visitor entered the room.

“I am so sorry to disturb you in such a late hour but I’m leaving soon and I came to apologize. Mary, I’m very sorry for being so rude. There is no excuse for such behaviour,” Richard told her in his most apologetic voice.

To say that both girls were utterly surprised would be an understatement. Mary was so shocked she could barely speak.

“Mr. Spenser, I’m so sorry I made you worry. It’s nothing, really nothing. You should not have bothered,” she stumbled through her words awkwardly.

Madeline left the room quietly. It was not long before Richard caught her by the stairs.

“There is something I need to tell you before I leave.”

Madeline turned around to face him and gave him a curious look.

“I am listening,” she assured.

Richard looked uneasy. It was hard for him to say the words that followed.

“You may be right about me, right that I’m unhappy but you are so wrong about yourself.”

“You listened to our conversation!” Madeline was truly astonished but for some reason couldn’t feel angry enough with him.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t help it,” he told her smilingly.

“I guess we haven’t closed the door well enough. I would not forget to do it better next time,” Madeline blushed and looked down to the floor.

Richard chuckled and then said something Madeline couldn’t understand.

“I’m afraid there is no door that could’ve kept me from hearing what you were talking about.”

He continued more seriously.

“You have no idea how invaluable, how precious you are. And you are definitely worth it, worth the fight with my own nature.”

Madeline was so startled she took her eyes out of the floor and stared at Richard. She couldn’t say a word.

“I have to leave now,” he said kindly. Strangely his voice sounded as if he didn’t want to leave at all.

“Good luck on your trip and take care!” was all Madeline could say.

“Be safe!” he said in return. And then he kissed her swiftly in her forehead and left without saying another word.

Madeline stood by the stairs for a while staring at the door Richard had just went through. She couldn’t believe it was real.