At the realization that she had been caught Madelene's blue eyes widened. She know regretted watching her, as her mind was suddenly plagued with darker thoughts. Was the young woman going to tell somebody what Madelene had been doing? Was it going to earn her another beating because she had spied on the woman?
After a moment of quick thinking the fourteen-year old finally spoke. "I-I am sorry, Madame," she said as she finally came out from behind the tree, looking down. "I did not mean to stare," she promised faintly, still looking at the ground in shame. "I-I think you're very pretty," she added, stuttering a little out of nerves. "Your dress is pretty, too."