These opinions seemed to be confirmed, when the Reverend Mr. Sawkins came back with the astounding intelligence that Mr. Sheepshanks was nowhere to be found in any part of the Society's offices.
Mrs. Slingsby was overwhelmed with grief, and her two fair companions with astonishment; and as they rode home in a hackney-coach, the pious widow never ceased from dilating on the tremendous injury which the "good cause" would receive from the exposure of the flagrant turpitude of Mr. Sheepshanks.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
THE BARONET AND HIS MISTRESS.
On the following day—at about twelve o'clock, and somewhat to the surprise of Mrs. Slingsby, who did not expect to see him so soon again—Sir Henry Courtenay paid the lady a visit.
She happened to be alone when he was announced; and there was a constraint—amounting almost to an embarrassment—in his manner which she immediately perceived, and which alarmed her.
"Has any thing happened, Henry?" she inquired anxiously, as he took a seat at some distance from her.
"Nothing, Martha—nothing," answered the baronet. "But I wish to have some very particular conversation with you."
"I am all attention," she said, her suspense increasing.
"Now do not be frightened," exclaimed Sir Henry. "Nothing has happened to annoy either you or me; but what I am about to propose to you, is rather of an embarrassing nature—and——"
"Then pray be quick and let me know what brings you hither this morning," said the lady, somewhat impatiently.