There had come the natural reaction from high excitement, and feats which had appeared easy, in the hour of her exalted indignation, seemed now impossible. She could now no more go to the American minister, and tell him her story, and claim his assistance, than she could have run into a burning fire. But, thank Heaven, she could go from the castle.
She rang her bell a third time, and more sharply than before. After a few minutes it was answered by the housekeeper, who entered with her customary respectful courtesy.
"She has not heard of last night's scandal," thought Claudia, as she noticed the dame's unaltered manner.
"I have rung three times, Mrs. Murdock. Why has not my maid come up?" she inquired.
"Indeed, me leddy, I dinna ken. I ha' na seen the lass the morn," answered the woman.
"What! You do not mean to say that Sally has not made her appearance this morning?"
"Indeed and she ha' na, me leddy."
"Mrs. Murdock, pray go at once to her room and see if she is there."
The housekeeper went away; and after an absence of fifteen minutes returned to say that Sally was not in her room.
"But I dinna think she is far awa', me leddy; because her bed is all tumbled as if she was just out of it. And her shoes and clothes are lying there, just as she put them off."