"If she knew, she would be here," said the King, confident in his daughter's affection.
They stared at each other in a surmise which turned gradually to dismay. This unfilial silence upon their escape from the bomb of the assassin told them with staggering certainty that Charlotte was missing.
"She has run away!" cried the Queen.
"But she must be somewhere," objected the King; "and wherever she is she would surely have heard the news."
"She may be quite out in the country," suggested the Queen, picking up hope.
"Still she has friends who must know where she has gone."
"It's incredible!" cried her Majesty; "heartless, I call it."
"No, no, she simply doesn't know!" said the King; of that he was quite certain. "We are sure to hear from her in the course of the day," he continued reassuringly, "meanwhile we shall have to make inquiries."
But the day went on, and no sign from Charlotte; nor did inquiries bring definite news up to date. She had arrived with her expectant hostess on the day appointed; but after staying only one night had gone elsewhere, and from that point in place and time no trace of her was to be found.
Before the day was over the King and Queen had become terribly anxious, and by the end of the week they were almost at their wits' end.