"I can't ask her. She is not here," was the answer.
"Not here? then where—" he began, but the pert maid interrupted him:
"Lor', sir, Miss West went down to the steamer two hours ago."
An audible titter accompanied the information.
Lancaster bounded down the steps without a word, sprung into his carriage, and slammed the door with a vim.
"Drive down to the steamer just as fast as you can, coachman!" he hallooed, sharply.
[CHAPTER X.]
De Vere stared in wonder when his friend scrambled up the plank alone with his beautiful bouquet. He was not a minute too soon, for in an instant the gang-plank was hauled in, and they were outward bound on the dark-blue sea.