Bless me! cried Miss Glanville, laughing; the girl's distracted, sure. Lord! brother, don't listen to her nonsensical tales; we shall never find my cousin by her.
Leave her to me, said Mr. Glanville, whispering: perhaps I may discover something by her discourse, that will give us some light into this affair.
Nay, I'll stay, I am resolved, answered she; for I long to know where my cousin is: though, do you think what this girl says is true, about a great man disguised in the gardens? Sure my cousin could never tell her such stuff: but, now I think of it, added she, Lady Bella, when we were speaking about the jockey, talked something about a lover: I vow I believe it is as the girl says. Pray let's hear her out.
Mr. Glanville was ready to die with vexation, at the charmer of his soul being thus exposed; but there was no help for it.
Pray, said he to Lucy, tell us no more about this man: but, if you can guess where your lady is, let me know.
Indeed I can't, sir, said she; for my lady and I both stole out of the house, for fear Edward should break open the doors of her apartment; and we were running as fast as possible to my brother's house (where she said she would hide herself till you came); but my poor dear lady fell down and hurt herself so much, that she fainted away: I tried what I could to fetch her again; but she did not open her eyes: so I ran like lightning to my brother, to come and help me to carry her to the farm; but, when we came back, she was gone.
What do you say? cried Mr. Glanville, with a distracted look: Did you leave her in that condition in the fields? And was she not to be found when you came back?
No, indeed, sir, said Lucy, weeping; we could not find her, though we wandered about a long time.
Oh! Heavens! said he, walking about the room in a violent emotion, where can she be? What is become of her? Dear sister, pursued he, order somebody to saddle my horse: I'll traverse the country all night in quest of her.
You had best enquire, sir, said Lucy, if Edward is in the house: he knows, may be, where my lady is.