ir
weary length between that period and evening? Hampton Court! What was to
prevent his going to Hampton Court? He might meet Lady Vivian and
Madeleine, there; nothing was more likely, since they were to spend the
day. His spirits revived as he signalled an empty cab, and requested to
be driven as rapidly as possible to Hampton Court. He took no note of
the length of time occupied in reaching his destination: it was a relief
to be in motion, and to know that every moment brought him nearer a
locality where the lost one might be found.

Was he more likely to encounter her in the palace or in the grounds? he
asked, internally, as he sprang out of the cab. He would try the palace
first. He strode through its magnificent apartments, one after another,
without noticing their gorgeous grandeur, without glancing at their
superb decorations, without wasting a look upon the wondrous products of
brush, or chisel, or loom. His disconcerted guide paused before each
world-renowned master-piece in vain; Maurice hurried on, and silenced
him by saying that he was in search of a friend.

Neither Lady Vivian nor Madeleine was to be seen. They were doubtless
rambling in the beautiful pleasure-grounds.

Maurice took his way through noble avenues of trees,--through groves,
gardens, conservatories,--without letting his eyes dwell upon any object
but the human beings he passed. Still no Madeleine. He made the tour of
the palace the second time, and then traversed the grounds once more.
The result was the same. Lady Vivian must have returned home.

It was growing late. He reentered his cab, and ordered the driver to
take him to Morley's Hotel; paid the exorbitant price which the man,
knowing he had to deal with a stranger, demanded, and took refuge in his
chamber, without remembering that he had not broken his fast since
morning, until a waiter knocked at the door to know if he would dine.

Yes; dinner might assist in whiling away the time. But it helped less
effectually than he had anticipated; for to dine without appetite is a
tedious undertaking. His own busy thoughts supplied him with more than
sufficient food, and precluded all sense of hunger.

Maurice had but a slight acquaintance with Lady Vivian. An evening visit
certainly was not _selon les regles_; but all ceremony must give way
before the urgency of his mission. He compelled himself to wait until
nine o'clock before he again appeared in Grosvenor Square.

That imperturbable