"Well,—yes, you may come. We will go down stairs first."
They descended to the first floor, and went through the dining-room, sitting-room, library and little parlors; but without finding her they sought.
Then they ascended to the next floor and went through the picture-gallery, the music-room, the dancing-saloon, the hall, and lastly, the three drawing-rooms, in case that she might have returned there while they were absent. But their search was still without success.
Then they ascended to the upper floors, and looked all through the handsome suites of private apartments, but still without discovering a trace of the missing bride.
And so all over the house, from basement to attic, and from central hall to garden wall, they went searching in vain for the lost one.
The dowager and the duke returned to the drawing-room and looked each other in the face.
The dowager was stupefied with bewilderment. The duke was pale with anxiety.
The mystery was growing serious and alarming.
"What do you think of it, Lady Belgrade?" inquired the duke.
"I cannot think at all. I am at my wit's end," answered the lady. "What do you think?" she inquired, after a moment's pause.