"She ran up stairs as you came in, sir."
"And may have come down by the back stairway and made off with the rascal, after all!" he exclaimed in alarm. "Run up to her room, Milly, and see if she is there, while I look about below here."
Mildred went at once, though she would much rather have been excused; for the errand was no pleasant one; she was very reluctant to meet Juliet again at that moment; but fortunately was spared the necessity, as, on nearing the door of Juliet's sleeping room, she distinctly heard her voice in conversation with Reba.
She hurried down again with her report, which her uncle received with grim satisfaction.
"That is well," he said. "Now I'll join in the search for the scoundrel, and I promise you that if we catch him, he'll not get away unhurt. But where is Miss Worth, child? you have not answered that question yet."
As he spoke, a side door opened, and a tall black robed figure glided in.
"Miss Worth!" he exclaimed, catching sight of her face.
"Yes," she said in a hoarse whisper, leaning back against the wall, and looking ready to faint.
"You are ill," he said; "let me help you into the library and give you a glass of wine."