The outcome of above letter was to cause Lady Esmondet and Vaura to make immediate preparations to reach Haughton Hall.
"We should be there; the hand Madame holds is too full of tricks," said Lady Esmondet, energetically, as she finished reading the letter aloud.
"We can go to-night by the midnight express," said Vaura, impulsively.
"I should like it, dear, but you are full of engagements for to- morrow, and we are due at the Opera tonight."
"Trifles, all; as you are willing, we shall be on the wing to-night."
Tres bien ma chere; I shall give the orders, but there will be three or four pairs of wistful eyes looking for your entree at the opera, to-night."
"Yes, until the curtain rises," said Vaura gaily.
On the afternoon of the same day (the third) Castenelli, with a couple of friends, also O'Gormon, on calling at the villa, heard a rumour of the departure from the servants (who were all astir, their ladies being out driving), the Italian p'shawed and said to his friends:
"It is not so, the beautiful Signora told me she would be at the Duchess of Wyesdale on the night of the fourth for a concert and ball; they leave at sunrise on the fifth." And so was content that the servants were mistaken. Not so O'Gormon, who hearing the same story, and knowing their intention to attend the opera went thither, and not seeing them was for leaving, but the Wyesdale signaled him to her side, and so off duty only at the close; saw her party to the carriage, and throwing his toga over his evening dress, hurried to the depot. And none too soon, Lady Esmondet was already in the coach and Vaura about to follow, when the tall figure of the Irishman came up hurriedly.
"Surely you are not going to leave us, Miss Vernon, and so hush our heart-beats as we listen in vain for your footfall."