Mrs. Ransom, who had had some experience of the “tantrums” of Miss Phyllis, followed the Colonel’s advice, but when evening came and Phyllis did not appear, she got anxious. “The poor child must be starving,” she said.
Then Colonel Lane went himself and knocked loudly and called without obtaining an answer.
Then he put his shoulder to the door and burst it open.
The room was empty.
Consternation and fear took possession of him. He reproached himself bitterly for his harshness.
Phyllis was so erratic, what might she not have done?
“She may be at Hawk’s Nest,” he said, but he did not believe it. His heart sank, and fear possessed him such as he had never felt on the battlefield. What might not a wilful, excitable girl like Phyllis do?
“I will go to Hawk’s Nest, Mrs. Ransom,” Colonel Lane said in a strange voice. “Don’t let the servants know anything—unless it is inevitable.”
In the meantime Mrs. Barrimore was much exercised in spirit. Things appeared to be all going wrong. Uncle Robert had put away the copies of his book, and refused to speak of it.
Philip had sent a letter, which she found to be only a line to say he was starting at once for London, and had no time to come in. A letter was enclosed for Phyllis, with the instruction that it should be given into her own hand. Added to that there were the underlined words:—