"You must please send some one to find Mr. Quarrier, without a
moment's delay. I will come in and wait."
The coachman happened to be in the kitchen. Mrs. Wade had him
summoned, and despatched him for his master. Though her limbs shook
with fatigue, she could not remain seated for more than a few
minutes at a time; she kept the drawing-room door open, and kept
going out to listen. Her suspense lasted for more than half an hour;
then at length she heard a cab rattle up the drive, and in another
moment Quarrier stood before her. This was the second time within a
few days that her face had been of ill omen to him; he frowned an
anxious inquiry.
"You haven't seen Lilian?" she began.
"Seen her?"
"She has gone--left the cottage--I can't find her."
"Gone? When did she go?"
"I have bad news for you. Northway has come back; he called at the
cottage about seven o'clock. I didn't let him know Lilian was there,
and soon got rid of him; he said he would have to see you again.
Lilian was dreadfully agitated, and when I happened to leave the
room, she went out--disappeared--I thought she must have come
home "----
"What do the servants say?"
"They haven't seen her."
"But she may have gone to Mary's?"
Arrested in the full flow of his jubilant spirits by this
extraordinary announcement, Denzil could not admit grave alarm.
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