ng." Even as he spoke he felt
how impossible it was that his dignified Beatrice should have done
anything wrong.

He could throw no light upon the subject. He had not seen her since he
had kissed her when bidding her goodnight. Her maid was the last
person to whom she had spoken. Suzette had left her in her own room,
and since then nothing had been seen or heard of Beatrice Earle.

Father and lover went out together. Lord Airlie suggested that she had
perhaps gone out into the gardens and had met with some accident there.
They went carefully over every part--there was no trace of Beatrice.
They went through the shrubbery out into the park, where the quiet lake
shone amid the green trees.

Suddenly, like the thrust of a sharp sword, the remembrance of the
morning spent upon the water came to Lord Airlie. He called to mind
Beatrice's fear--the cold shudder that seized her when she declared
that her own face with a mocking smile was looking up at her from the
depths of the water.

He walked hurriedly toward the lake. It was calm and clear--the tall
trees and green sedges swaying in the wind, the white lilies rising and
falling with the ripples. The blue sky and green trees were reflected
in the water, the pleasure boat was fastened to the boat house. How
was he to know the horrible secret of the lake?

"Come away, Airlie!" cried Lord Earle. "I shall go mad! I will call
all the servants, and have a regular search."

In a few minutes the wildest confusion and dismay reigned in the Hall;
women wept aloud, and men's faces grew pale with fear. Their beautiful,
brilliant young mistress had disappeared, and none knew her fate. They
searched garden, park, and grounds; men in hot haste went hither and
thither; while Lady Earle lay half dead with fear, and Lillian rested
calmly, knowing nothing of what had happened.

It was Lord Airlie who first suggested that the lake should be dragged.
The sun rode high in the heavens then, and shone gloriously over water
and land.

They found the drags, and Hewson, the butler, with Lee and Patson, two
gardeners, got into the boat. Father and lover stood side by side on
the bank. The boat glided softly over the water; the men had been once
round the lake, but without any result. Hope was rising again in Lord
Airlie's heart, when he saw those in the boat look at each other, then
at him.

"My lord," said Cowden, Lord Earle's valet, coming up to Hubert, "pray
take my master