In a short time the entire household was astir, alarmed by the discovery that the young ladies were not within the Hall. If not there, where were they? Of necessity, they must be out in the grounds, perhaps in the porter’s lodge.
One servant ran down to the lodge, only to bring back word that the young ladies had never been there.
Others scattered themselves over the gardens, seeking in the conservatories and graperies, in the plantations, in every imaginable place.
It was the gardener who came to the horrifying conclusion that the girls had ventured on the lake in the flimsy boat, and had been capsized.
He found Justine wandering near the borders of the water in a state of distraction. She could not tell that the boat had been safely moored that morning and in the early afternoon, but she had paused here.
The gardener imprudently betrayed his suspicion, and had the satisfaction of seeing Mademoiselle Justine fall in a heap, in violent hysterics, objurgating herself in disjointed sentences between whiles.
In a very short time, the alarming suspicion was communicated to the whole household, except the ladies, who were awaiting the result of the search in terrible anxiety, but not of positive fear, for they were sure now that the girls had sought some convenient shelter, where they were biding till the storm ceased.
A hurried consultation was held as to what should be done; but no one could offer a suggestion that promised to be of the smallest service.
The domestics retreated into a great greenhouse, where they could command a view of the lake, the waters of which now bore a sensational attraction in the eyes of the terrified servants.
No one could take the direction of affairs, for they were all subordinate servants, ignorant, and easily distracted.