After breakfast, accompanied by Elfie, she went the rounds of the hospitals.
At two o’clock she sent Elfie home, while she herself went to Britomarte’s boarding-house.
A sickening presentiment of evil overcame her as she entered the little gate, walked up to the door and rapped.
Mrs. Burton opened the door.
“Oh, Miss Rosenthal! how do you do? I have been hoping that you would call. Please to come in,” said the mistress of the house.
“Mrs. Burton, how is Miss Conyers? Is she quite well?” anxiously inquired Erminie, as she followed the widow into the little parlor.
“Why, my darling child, she is gone,” answered Mrs. Burton, as she sat a chair for her visitor.
“Gone!” echoed Erminie, in dismay, sinking into the offered seat, and gazing at the speaker.
“Yes, my dear—gone. She has been gone these three days.”
“And without taking leave of me!” said Erminie, in a sorrowful voice.