Aunt Mary was silent.
“You will not advise me?” Florence spoke in a perplexed voice.
“If you act from my advice, you will not act freely,” said Mrs. Elder. “The question, moreover, is one of such difficult solution, that I do not see it clearly enough to speak with decision.”
The bell at this moment rung violently, causing both Florence and her aunt to start and look with inquiring eyes into each other’s faces. A few moments afterward a man’s feet were heard moving quickly along the passage.
“Mr. Fleetwood!” ejaculated Mrs. Elder, rising as the old gentleman entered hurriedly.
“Florence,” said Mr. Fleetwood, in an agitated manner, as he laid his hand upon the arm of Miss Harper, “you are wanted!”
“For what? Has any thing happened to the children?”
“Yes,—something dreadful! Madeline is lost or stolen!”
“Oh, Mr. Fleetwood! Lost! Stolen! What do you mean?”
“Madeline has been gone from the house for several hours, and we have searched for her everywhere in vain. Two or three persons in the neighborhood are positive that they saw her, or a child answering in all things her description, in company with a woman dressed in black. That infamous Mrs. Jeckyl, without doubt!”