“Where—where?—in mercy tell me that!”
“We have yet to learn. It is my purpose to search for, and, if possible, to find her.”
“Is she in London—think you she is in London?”
“I believe—nay, I am convinced of that,” replied Charles, emphatically.
“God bless you!” cried the stranger, wildly. “Once more I shall see her, for London has no secret spot I will not narrowly examine, until I have found her—the whole world shall not keep her from me.”
With these words he rushed from the room by the way he had entered, with, if possible, increased wildness of manner, leaving Charles astounded, and Evangeline yet frightened and weeping. Charles endeavoured to restore Eva to a degree of composure by suggesting that the remarkable event which had just happened might, perhaps, afford a clue to the sudden flight from home of her sister; but before he could finish his sentence a tremendous knock at the hall-door resounded through the building.
“My father,” faintly cried Evangeline, and like a startled fawn ran from Charles to her own room.
He advanced to the door, feeling his cheek burn fiercely, and wholly at a loss what to say to the haughty owner of the mansion.
The hall-door was flung back wide; he heard the shuffling of feet, a rapid step ascend the stairs, and then a door banged loudly.
The next instant Whelks stood by his side.