She swayed slightly as she finished, and Mr. Pembroke ran forward and took her in his arms.
[CHAPTER IV.]
CLARA'S SEARCH BEGINS.
Clara had not fainted in her uncle's arms, but she nestled against him quivering and sobbing; and again it was fortunate for her that the excited, pent-up forces of her brain had broken through in a flood of tears.
"You see, Dexter!" cried Mr. Pembroke in broken accents, "how my poor girl suffers. There, there, Clara, better get back to your bed and try to sleep. I thought Louise was looking after you."
"She has been with me," replied Clara, "but I sent her away. I wanted to think. Has nothing been heard from Ivan?"
"Nothing yet, my dear. You shall know it as soon as we do even if it comes at three in the morning."
Attracted by her cousin's voice, Louise appeared at this moment and led Clara upstairs, scolding her gently for having left her room. Clara was greatly subdued, and urged no longer to be left alone. Through the rest of the evening she sat quietly listening to Louise, and feeling no return of that tensity of the nerves that had preceded and accompanied her waking dream.