But Albert Goldsborough did not return, nor did Monck, whose arrival was daily expected, make his appearance.
Elfie could perceive that the Free Sword was growing extremely anxious on the subject of the prolonged absence of the two guerrilla leaders.
Elfie kept a sharp look-out. And on the seventh day of Goldsborough’s absence, she discovered that Colonel Corsoni sent out scouts on the perilous duty of looking after the missing men.
On the morning of the eighth day, Elfie was as usual aroused by the rolling of the reveillé.
She arose and began to arrange her dress, while waiting for Alberta, whom she did not see, but who, she naturally supposed, had, as usual, left the hut to procure water for their morning ablutions.
While Elfie was fastening her boddice, she saw the curtain of her doorway lifted, and a bowl of water and a clean towel pushed into the hut.
She took them and began to wash her face and hands, still momentarily expecting the appearance of Alberta, at whose prolonged absence she was beginning to wonder.
At length, when she was quite ready for breakfast, and a little tired of waiting for Alberta, she lifted the curtain of her doorway, and passed out of the hut.
There, to her surprise, she found a breakfast arranged for one, and Mutchison as waiter, in attendance.
“What is the meaning of this, you monstrous villain? Where is Madame Corsoni? And how dare you show your face before me?” indignantly demanded Elfie.