“Oh, my darling is gone,” said she, and the ground swelled and moved under her feet, and the trees went round in mad circles, and she knew no more. She had fallen down fainting, with no one near her but her faithful Milord, who had followed her, and now nestled by her side.
Clarence had heard her voice call to him, and tried to turn his horses immediately, but they were going down the hill too fast to turn without danger of upsetting; he saw he must first get to the foot of the hill, and turn when he reached the brook. He did so, and with heart-throbs of renewed hope, he re-ascended the hill and hurried to the house. At the door he met Madam Halier, who was blinking at the hall lamp as if just awakened from a sound sleep. Clarence asked for Miss Mercedes.
“I think madamoiselle has just gone down to Madame Mechlin's. I heard her calling Tano, and that woke me up. I had just dropped off into a short nap of five minutes—just five minutes.”
“I thought I heard her voice in this direction,” said Clarence, pointing to the opposite side.
“Oh, no. I think she was afraid to go to Mrs. Mechlin's alone, and she called her brother. But she has been anxious to see you all day. I will send a servant to say you have come. Walk in. Had you a pleasant drive from town?”
“Madam, I have seen Miss Mercedes since my return from town. I had said farewell, and was driving away, when I thought I heard her voice calling me. Perhaps I was mistaken, but I think not. Where has she gone, I wonder?”
“To Madam Mechlin's, monsieur.”
“Be it so. Good-by, madam,” said he, extending his hand.
“But will you not wait for madamoiselle?”
“No, madam; if she did not call me, I need not wait.”