Part 38 (2/2)

”She hasn't dressed, sir. She said she, had no appet.i.te.”

”She's not well, I believe, Weston,” I said.

”No, sir,” replied the maid anxiously. ”I've noticed this last week or two a very great change in her. She seems highly nervous, and when alone always thinking very deeply, and--and--”

”And what?” I asked, seeing the excellent servant's hesitation.

”Well, sir, I don't know whether I really ought to mention it, but one thing worries me very much. You know, sir, I've been her ladys.h.i.+p's maid ever since she came back from school, and I'm much attached to her.”

”I know, Weston. I know quite well,” I said. ”You are most devoted to her. But what is this you fear?”

”I really don't know, sir,” was the young woman's answer. ”But of late the young mistress's mind seems constantly filled with morbid thoughts.

She's always talking of her death--and only a few days ago she actually gave me some of her trinkets, saying that she would never require them again.”

”That's strange,” I said, sighing, for I, alas! knew the reason. ”You must try and prevent her giving way to such thoughts. Go to her boudoir, and tell her that after dinner I desire to see her. I'll come up here later and see you--at nine o'clock.”

”Very well, sir,” was the maid's reply, and then I descended to the long meal, where the chatter was gay, and the serving of the most ceremonious character.

The brilliant women on either side of me interested me not a jot. My only thought was for my absent well-beloved.

After dinner I eagerly sought Weston, who said--”No, sir. She has not rung.”

”Then take me to her,” I said, ”I wish to see her at once.”

”But--”

”I will take the responsibility upon myself,” I said. ”Go and announce me.”

Reluctantly the maid went along the corridor and tapped at the door.

There was no response. I stood behind her as she tapped twice, then opened the door. But the room was empty. The candles were burning upon the writing-table, and in the room was a smell of burnt paper, while in the grate lay a quant.i.ty of tinder. She had been destroying some letters or papers. Weston was aghast to find that her mistress was absent.

I went to the grate and saw that every particle of paper had been consumed.

The maid went along to my love's room, but emerged quickly, saying--

”I think her ladys.h.i.+p must have gone out. Her cape and motor-cap have gone.”

In an instant it was evident that having destroyed her private papers she had slipped out into the park unseen.

I rushed downstairs, and finding Keene in the smoking-room took him quickly out into the hall, and told him of my grave apprehensions, whereupon he was in an instant on the alert.

”She surely cannot have carried out her threat!” he gasped. ”We must try to find her at once. Not an instant must be lost! The burning of her papers is sufficient proof of the fatal step she contemplated.

Come, let's go in search at once.”

And breathlessly, fearing the worst, we took our caps and hurried out into the chill windy night.

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.

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