CHAPTER XI.
LOST.
Ingleby arrived at the Villa Lucia at the usual time, and went, as was her custom, to the schoolroom door, and knocked.
She was generally answered by a rush to the door by Ella and Dorothy, and a cry of—
"Grannie says she is to stay to luncheon to-day," or, "Don't take her away yet."
But to-day silence reigned, and when Ingleby looked in, the schoolroom was empty.
She turned away, and met the maid who waited on Constance with a tray in her hand and a cup of cocoa, which she was taking upstairs.
"Where is Miss Dorothy, and where are the children?"
"All gone out on donkeys to Colla," was the answer. "Her ladyship was glad to get the house quiet, for Miss Constance has had a very bad night."
"Talk of bad nights!" exclaimed Ingleby; "my mistress has done nothing but cough since four o'clock this morning. Well, I hope Miss Dorothy was well wrapped up, for the wind is cold enough out of the sun, though Stefano is angry if I say so. I wish we were back in England. I know, what with the nasty wood fires, and the 'squitoes, and the draughts, and——"