The girl went, very submissively, on her errand.
Lady Belgrade dropped wearily into her chair, muttering:
"I do think servants are so idiotic. They can't find her because she happens to be out of her own room. I would go and hunt her up myself, but really the fatigue of this day has been too much for me."
The Duke of Hereward did not reply. He walked restlessly up and down the floor, filled with a vague uneasiness, for which he could not account to himself—for surely, he reflected, Salome must be in the house somewhere; it could not possibly be otherwise; and there were a dozen simple reasons why she might be missed for a few minutes; doubtless she would soon appear, and smile at their impatience.
Ay, but the minutes were fast growing into hours, and Salome did not re-appear.
The maid returned once more from her fruitless search.
"Indeed, I beg your pardon, my lady; but we cannot find her grace, either in the house or in the garden," she said, with a very solemn courtesy.
"Now this is really beyond endurance! I suppose I must go and look for her myself," answered Lady Belgrade, rising in displeasure.
"Will you let me accompany your ladyship?" gravely inquired the duke.
Lady Belgrade hesitated for a few moments, and then said: