"Miss Ethel," she answered in a cry choked with a sob; and dropping again on the sofa, she hid her face once more between her hands.
I rushed to the study-door, and called Percivale; then returned to question the girl. I wonder now that I did nothing outrageous; but fear kept down folly, and made me unnaturally calm.
"Sarah," I said, as quietly as I could, while I trembled all over, "tell me what has happened. Where is the child?"
"Indeed it's not my fault, ma'am. I was busy with Master Roger, and Miss
Ethel was down stairs with Jemima."
"Where is she?" I repeated sternly.
"I don't know no more than the man in the moon, ma'am."
"Where's Jemima?"
"Run out to look for her?"
"How long have you missed her?"
"An hour. Or perhaps two hours. I don't know, my head's in such a whirl. I can't remember when I saw her last. O ma'am! What shall I do?"