iacomo from betraying his excitement to her
servants, and stated throughout the decorous household that the young
lady had informed her she was going to visit some friends that morning,
and had no doubt gone through the garden gate, since it was found open;
the way was more quiet there than by the high-road, and her friends
might have therefore walked to meet her by the lane. Lady Lansmere
observed that her only surprise was that Violante had gone earlier
than she had expected. Having said this with a composure that compelled
belief, Lady Lansmere ordered the carriage, and, taking Giacomo with
her, drove at once to consult her son.

Harley's quick intellect had scarcely recovered from the shock upon his
emotions before Randal Leslie was announced. "Ah," said Lady Lansmere,
"Mr. Leslie may know something. He came to her yesterday with a note
from her father. Pray let him enter."

The Austrian prince approached Harley. "I will wait in the next room,"
he whispered. "You may want me if you have cause to suspect Peschiera in
all this."

Lady Lansmere was pleased with the prince's delicacy, and, glancing at
Leonard, said, "Perhaps you, too, sir, may kindly aid us, if you would
retire with the prince. Mr. Leslie may be disinclined to speak of
affairs like these, except to Harley and myself."

"True, madam, but beware of Mr. Leslie."

As the door at one end of the room closed on the prince and Leonard,
Randal entered at the other, seemingly much agitated.

"I have just been to your house, Lady Lansmere. I heard you were here;
pardon me if I have followed you. I have called at Knightsbridge to see
Violante, learned that she had left you. I implore you to tell me how
or wherefore. I have the right to ask: her father has promised me her
hand." Harley's falcon eye had brightened tip at Randal's entrance. It
watched steadily the young man's face. It was clouded for a moment by
his knitted brows at Randal's closing words; but he left it to Lady
Lansmere to reply and explain. This the countess did briefly.

Randal clasped his hands. "And has she not gone to her father's? Are you
sure of that?"

"Her father's servant has just come from Norwood."

"Oh, I am to blame for this! It is my rash suit, her fear of it, her
aversion! I see it all!" Randal's voice was hollow with remorse and
despair. "To save her from Peschiera, her father insisted on her
immediate marriage with myself. His orders were too abrupt, my own
wooing too unw