“And you, father?”
Mr. Beresford laughed, and answered, blandly:
“My son, I have always been under petticoat government since I married this proud lady, your mother. Her indorsement of your choice secures my consent.”
How bright the future looked at that moment to them all!
But the next instant Alva’s maid entered the room with so grave a face that it instantly sobered the happy party.
“Where is Miss Fane?” cried Alva, impatiently.
“Oh, Miss Alva, I wish I could answer that question; but—but I’ve been all over the house—everywhere—and she’s not in it. And then I went back to her room and searched more closely, and I’m afraid she has gone away, for—I found this note for you, miss,” answered Honora, in real distress, as she presented her mistress with a square blue envelope addressed in Floy’s hand.
CHAPTER XLII.
A YOUNG GIRL’S PRIDE.
Alva took the letter from Honora amid cries of dismay from them all.