“I had; she is lost!” said Lady Maude, in a tone so altered that even Ranty started.
“Did she die?” Ray asked, curiously.
“I do not know; she was stolen, I think.”
“Yes; she was stolen. My grandmother, Ketura, whom I have told you of—she stole her, and brought her here at the same time she brought me.”
There was a sort of gasp, and Lady Maude half-started to her feet.
“Oh, my God! Tell me—tell me—is she—is she—”
“She is alive and well, and knows all.”
“Thank God—oh, thank God for this!” she cried, as she sunk down and hid her face in her hands.
There was a long silence. Then Lady Maude, starting to her feet, cried out, passionately:
“Where is she?—where is she? Take me to her! My precious Erminie! my long-lost darling! Oh, Raymond, take me to Erminie!”