Presently Minnett came in.
“Minnett, find Miss Dundas, and ask her to please come to me,” she said, shortly.
Minnett retired, was gone another half hour, while the old lady grew furious at the delay, then returned and said Miss Dundas could not be found.
She forthwith angrily commanded to go and find Miss Dundas, and not return until she did.
Minnett meekly withdrew again, and her ladyship sat another hour, fuming and raging, first against her maid, then at Lady Randal, whom she believed to be at the bottom of it all, to serve some purpose of her own, and lastly her ire turned upon Brownie herself for allowing herself to be detained so long.
Finally, her patience completely wearied out, she marched down into the drawing-room, ready to berate the first person she met.
Here she found everybody in a great state of excitement over the non-appearance of Miss Dundas.
One, two, three hours more passed, and still no light was thrown upon the mystery. Lady Ruxley became nearly distracted, Lady Randal was very much disturbed, while the guests, who had remarked Brownie’s beauty and refinement, began to whisper of an elopement, or something equally romantic.
In the midst of the excitement, Viola and Alma appeared upon the scene and, upon being told that Miss Dundas was missing, the former asked what sort of a looking person she was.
Sir Charles immediately gave a very accurate description of Brownie, whereupon both girls exclaimed: