This was reported to Lady Bassett, and it gave her some little anxiety; for she suspected he might possibly be in the company of Ruperta Bassett; and, although she did not herself much object to that, she objected very much to have it talked about and made a fuss. So she went herself to the end of the lawn, and out into the meadow, that a servant might not find the young people together, if her suspicion was correct.
She went into the meadow and called “Compton! Compton!” as loud as she could, but there was no reply.
Then she came in, and began to be alarmed, and sent servants about in all directions.
But two hours elapsed, and there were no tidings. The thing looked serious.
She sent out grooms well mounted to scour the country. One of these fell in with Sir Charles, who thereupon came home and found his wife in a pitiable state. She was sitting in an armchair, trembling and crying hysterically.
She caught his hand directly, and grasped it like a vise.
“It is Richard Bassett!” she cried. “He knows how to wound and kill me. He has stolen our child.”
Sir Charles hurried out, and, soon after that, Reginald arrived, and stood awe-struck at her deplorable condition.
Sir Charles came back heated and anxious, kissed Reginald, told him in three words his brother was missing, and then informed Lady Bassett that he had learned something very extraordinary; Richard Bassett's little girl had also disappeared, and his people were out looking after her.
“Ah, they are together,” cried Lady Bassett.