I shall
be there long before you."
Mrs. Liversedge was talking with Mrs. Wade, who would say nothing
but that Lilian had disappeared. At Denzil's bidding the cab was
transferred to Toby, who, after whispering with his wife, was driven
quickly away. Quarrier refused to enter the house.
"We shall find another cab near the Town Hall," he said to Mrs.
Wade. "Good-night, Molly! I can't talk to you now."
The two hastened off. When they were among the people again, Mrs.
Wade caught sentences that told her the issue of the day. "Majority
of over six hundred!--Well done, Quarrier!--Quarrier for ever!"
Without exchanging a word, they gained the spot where one or two
cabs still waited, and were soon speeding along the Rickstead Road.
"She may be at the cottage," was all Denzil said on the way.
But no; Lilian was not at the cottage. Quarrier stood in the porch,
looking about him as if he imagined that the lost one might be
hiding somewhere near.
"I shall go--over there," he said. "It will take a long time."
"What?"----
"Liversedge is rowing round, with drags.--Go in and wait.--You
may be wrong."
"I didn't say I _thought_ it! It was only a fear--a dreadful
possibility."
Again she burst into tears.
"Go in and rest, Mrs. Wade," he said, more gently. "You shall know
--if anything"----
And, with a look of unutterable misery, he turned away.
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