He went into the house and she returned to Howlie’s room. Isoline was not to be found anywhere. He went all over the Vicarage, into the orchard, down to the brook, and, finally, gave up the search.
“I do not know where Isoline is,” said he, as he stood by Howlie’s bedside. “I have looked everywhere.”
The window fronted towards the water and the fields; the sill was low and Howlie could see over it into the green beyond.
“Oi seed ’er ’alf-an-hour ago,” said he, “slinkin’ out an’ up into they meadows. Goin’ fast she was too, for ’er.”
“Are you sure it was Miss Ridgeway?” inquired the Vicar.
“S’pose oi am. There ain’t many round ’ere ’as theire noses in the air loike miss.”
Llewellyn bit his lip.
“She has evidently gone off for a long walk,” explained Mr. Lewis, rather embarrassed. “She has taken to it so much since she has been here, and I have encouraged it.”
“It is such a great thing when girls like it,” responded Lady Harriet, anxious to say something pleasant; “I have always thought they are kept too much in the house.”
She was so much relieved that she could have given thanks to Heaven aloud.