'She told me that you had broken her heart,' said Venetia; 'and she prayed to God that her child might not be so miserable.'
'Oh, my Venetia!' exclaimed Herbert, pressing her to his breast, and in a voice stifled with emotion, 'I feel now we might have been happy!'
In the meantime the prolonged absence of her daughter surprised Lady Annabel. At length she rose, and walked into their adjoining apartment, but to her surprise Venetia was not there. Returning to her saloon, she found Pauncefort and the waiter arranging the table for dinner.
'Where is Miss Herbert, Pauncefort?' inquired Lady Annabel.
'I am sure, my lady, I cannot say. I have no doubt she is in the other room.'
'She is not there, for I have just quitted it,' replied Lady Annabel.
'How very strange! You have not seen the signora?' inquired Lady
Annabel of the waiter.
'The signora is in the room with the gentleman.'
'The gentleman!' exclaimed Lady Annabel. 'Tell me, good man, what do you mean? I am inquiring for my daughter.'
'I know well the signora is talking of her daughter,' replied the waiter.
'But do you know my daughter by sight? Surely you you must mean some one else.'