elcome. I knew her high spirit; she has fled to escape
from me. But whither, if not to Norwood,--oh, whither? What other
friends has she, what relations?"

"You throw a new light on this mystery," said Lady Lansmere; "perhaps
she may have gone to her father's after all, and the servant may have
crossed, but missed her on the way. I will drive to Norwood at once."

"Do so,--do; but if she be not there, be careful not to alarm Riccabocca
with the news of her disappearance. Caution Giacomo not to do so. He
would only suspect Peschiera, and be hurried to some act of violence."

"Do not you, then, suspect Peschiera, Mr. Leslie?" asked Harley,
suddenly.

"Ha! is it possible? Yet, no. I called on him this morning with Frank
Hazeldean, who is to marry his sister. I was with him till I went on to
Knightsbridge, at the very time of Violante's disappearance. He could
not then have been a party to it."

"You saw Violante yesterday. Did you speak to her of Madame di Negra?"
asked Harley, suddenly recalling the questions respecting the marchesa
which Violante had addressed to him.

In spite of himself, Randal felt that he changed countenance. "Of Madame
di Negra? I do not think so. Yet I might. Oh, yes, I remember now. She
asked me the marchesa's address; I would not give it."

"The address is easily found. Can she have gone to the marchesa's
house?"

"I will run there, and see," cried Randal, starting up. "And I with you.
Stay, my dear mother. Proceed, as you propose, to Norwood, and take Mr.
Leslie's advice. Spare our friend the news of his daughter's loss--if
lost she be--till she is restored to him. He can be of no use mean
while. Let Giacomo rest here; I may want him."

Harley then passed into the next room, and entreated the prince and
Leonard to await his return, and allow Giacomo to stay in the same room.

He then went quickly back to Randal. Whatever might be his fears or
emotions, Harley felt that he had need of all his coolness of judgment
and presence of mind. The occasion made abrupt demand upon powers which
had slept since boyhood, but which now woke with a vigour that would
have made even Randal tremble, could he have detected the wit,
the courage, the electric energies, masked under that tranquil
self-possession. Lord L'Estrange and Randal soon reached the marchesa's
house, and learned that she had been out since morning in one of Count
Peschiera's carriages. Randal stole an alarmed glance at Harley's face.