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Deborah continued. “I don’t want to upset you anymore. But you owe Justin Fear an apology. I think you should go over there right now.”
    â€œNow?” Madeline gasped. “So soon? Oh, Cousin Deborah, I couldn’t.”
    â€œNonsense,” Cousin Deborah said briskly, pulling Madeline up from her chair. “It’s just like climbing back on a horse after you take a bad fall. It’s better not to think about it too much. Just do it and get it over with.”
    â€œBut I feel so embarrassed now at the way I acted,” Madeline confessed. “And look at me,” she stared down at her tattered, dirty dress. “I look a sight!”
    â€œLet’s go right upstairs, put a fresh dress on and fix your lovely hair. You’ll be as good as new,” Deborah assured her.
    She looked at Madeline slyly. “Confess. Wouldn’t you like to kiss and make up with Justin?”
    Madeline felt a quick burst of emotion as she remembered the feeling of belonging in Justin’s arms. “Yes,” she admitted. “I’ll go apologize right now.”
    Deborah smiled approvingly. For the first time, Madeline noticed how sharp her teeth were. She looks like she wants to take a bite out of me, Madeline thought.
    I must stop thinking things like that, Madeline told herself. I must stop seeing danger everywhere. I’ve got to stay in control.
    If I can just stay in control, everything will be all right. I can win my own happiness.
    But first, I have to win back Justin Fear.

Chapter
    15

    M adeline quickly changed her dress and set out for Justin’s house. Now that she had decided to apologize to him, she didn’t want to waste any time.
    She didn’t want to go back through the woods, where she had been so frightened earlier. But it was the shortest way to Justin’s house.
    The woods stood dark and silent. Hardly a breath of air stirred. The skies had clouded over. Low, heavy clouds.
    I’ve been so ungenerous, Madeline thought, as she hurried through the tangled trees and shrubs. Justin cut me one of the prize roses from his garden. He held me in his arms and kissed me.
    And all I’ve done is mistake his actions. I’ve got to tell him that I’m sorry before he decides he never wants to see me again.
    Quickly. Quickly!
    Snap!
    A twig snapped behind her, breaking the silence of the forest. Heart pounding, Madeline whirled around.
    Nothing there. Only tree branches swaying gently. But Madeline couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something wrong.
    Someone is watching me. I can feel his eyes.
    Watching. Waiting.
    She peered into the shadows. Her heartbeat quickened.
    â€œWho’s there?” she called, her voice tiny in the silence. “Justin? Is that you?”
    There wasn’t any answer.
    I’ve got to stop this! Madeline scolded herself. It’s just my foolish imagination, running away with me again. Well, I’m not going to let it get the better of me this time.
    Madeline turned back around.
    She screamed.
    The man she had chased down the long, dark corridors of her cousins’ house stood right in front of her.
    His dark eyes glowed with a mad intensity. His face twisted in pain.
    He stretched his arms out, his hands curved into claws. He was ready to grab her if she dared take even a single step forward.
    Madeline couldn’t stand to look at him. She lowered her gaze to the forest floor.
    She gasped aloud and jumped backward.
    The man’s feet! They floated above the ground!
    Madeline felt hysterical laughter rising up herthroat. It burst out of her. She began to laugh and laugh.
    He’s a ghost! My mysterious pursuer is a ghost.
    No! It’s just my imagination. Just my imagination. There’s no such thing as a ghost.
    I’ve got to stop laughing! I’m going to turn out like Mama. I’m going insane.
    The man lunged at her.
    Madeline’s laughter spiralled up into a scream. She leaped out