“That will do,” said Gertrude gravely. “Your master is not bound to consult anybody if he chooses to go out.”
“No, miss.”
“Mrs Hampton, shall we go into the drawing-room?” said Gertrude quietly, “or would you like a walk?”
“I think we will stay in, my dear,” was the reply; and they went into the drawing-room, where after closing the door they stood looking in each other’s eyes.
“Gertie,” said Mrs Hampton at last, and she took her young companion’s hand.
“No, no,” said Gertrude, shrinking.
“I was not going to preach, my dear—only help,” said Mrs Hampton, smiling cheerfully. “Are you thinking what I am?”
“I feel that I must be,” cried Gertrude. “You think that George has repented of what he said to Saul Harrington, and has joined him, or followed him to Paris.”
“Exactly. That is what I do think.”
“Well,” said Gertrude slowly, “he might have told us. Stop,” she added quickly, “he must have left a note for us in the study.”