“Ah, monsieur! what does it mean? She—my mistress—is not here!”
She ran into the dressing-room and bath-room and back again, followed by Cecil, startled and anxious.
“Ma foi, I have feared this—that she would run away!” Florine muttered, just loud enough for him to overhear.
He turned on her fiercely.
“Woman, you must be mad! She can not have left the house. Go and seek her at once.”
But at that moment his eyes fell on the note.
He snatched it up hurriedly and read:
“Mr. Laurens,—You have said that you would read nothing from me, but doubtless you will make an exception of this welcome note that tells you that I have gone away out of your path forever.
“I have learned that I am to be sent to your home in America next week, while you remain behind to enjoy the companionship of the wicked woman you love. The ostensible reason is that my child may be born at Maple Shade. I prefer to go to my own friends, where the blessing that is coming into my blighted life may come into the world under the same English skies where my forefathers first saw the light. If I stayed with you, you would hate both me and the little one, so we will go where we shall be sure of a little love and kindness.
“Farewell—a long farewell.