She turned her head and explored with earnest gaze the people around. She could see distinctly by the intense red light, nearly every countenance there, but did not recognize that of Mr. Somers. A painful anxiety immediately seized her, which she strove in vain to conceal. She approached near where Mr. Lansdowne stood, by the side of her mother, gazing after the fire, placed her hand lightly on his arm, and asked, "Can you tell me where Mr. Somers is to be found?"
"Mr. Somers! yes,—Ned. Where is he?" he exclaimed, turning, half bewildered by her question, and looking in her face.
In an instant, the solicitude her features expressed, passed into his own, the same sudden presentiment of evil possessed him.
Drawing Adèle's arm hurriedly into his, he said, "please go with me to seek him".
Hastening along, they went from one to another, making inquiries. It appeared that Mr. Somers had not been seen for several hours.
Immediately, the whole company took the alarm and the search for him commenced.
John and Adèle, after fruitless efforts among the houses, at length took their way to the river bank. As they were hastening forward, a woman standing upon a rock overhanging the path they pursued, told them that Mr. Somers brought herself and children over in the boat, just at dark,—that she had not seen him since, and she remembered now, that she did not see him come up from the river after he landed them.
"Lead us to the spot where you left the boat", said Adèle. "Go on as quickly as you can".
The woman descended from her perch upon the rock and plunged before them into the path.
"I remember now", she said with sudden compunctions, at her own selfish indifference, "that the gentleman looked pale and seemed to be dreadful tired like".