She could not permit him to give up hope, although she herself had almost lost heart.
“You must not lose heart like this. That old house must be searched!” she cried, with such cheerful eagerness that he was inspired with fresh courage.
“Then I will go at once!” he cried, starting up.
“The sooner the better,” agreed Alva; and within an hour they were on their way, Alva choosing to accompany him, because she wished to be on the spot to solace his sorrow if he failed to find Floy.
She was determined to do all she could for him, openly blaming herself for the flight of the girl.
“It was my idle chatter to her that made her lose faith in him and run away, so I must do what I can to atone,” she said.
At the very last they decided to go alone.
St. George remembered the gruesome character of Suicide Place, and how he had heard that no one could be persuaded to go there for love or money.
Besides, he shrunk from creating a useless sensation, for he had little hope now of finding his darling there.
“You know all the terrible things that Landon told me. Are you willing to risk the horrors of the place?” he asked Alva, anxiously.