Zillah could stand it no longer. She sent for John.
"John," said she, "I am getting uneasy about Miss Lorton. I wish you would walk along the beach and meet her. It is too late for her to be out alone."
John departed on his errand, and Zillah felt a sense of relief at having done something, but this gave way to renewed anxiety as time passed, and they did not appear. At length, after what seemed an age to the suffering girl, John returned, but alone.
"Have you not found her?" Zillah almost shrieked.
"No, miss," said the man, in a pitying tone.
"Then why did you come back?" she cried. "Did I not tell you to go on till you met her?"
"I went as far as I could, miss."
"What do you mean?" she asked, in a voice pitched high with terror.
The man came close up to her, sympathy and sorrow in his face.
"Don't take on so, miss," said he; "and don't be downhearted. I dare say she has took the road, and will be home shortly; that way is longer, you know."