aps
and bedrooms, evoked alike by Nature, the leveler, from high and
low--the sound (oh, Truth what enormities find publicity in thy
name!)--the sound of a Snore.

Free to do as she pleased, Blanche left the echoes of the drawing-room
in undisturbed enjoyment of Lady Lundie's audible repose.

She went into the library, and turned over the novels. Went out again,
and looked across the hall at the dining-room door. Would the men never
have done talking their politics and drinking their wine? She went up to
her own room, and changed her ear-rings, and scolded her maid. Descended
once more--and made an alarming discovery in a dark corner of the hall.

Two men were standing there, hat in hand whispering to the butler. The
butler, leaving them, went into the dining-room--came out again with Sir
Patrick--and said to the two men, "Step this way, please." The two men
came out into the light. Murdoch, the station-master; and Duncan, the
valet! News of Anne!

"Oh, uncle, let me stay!" pleaded Blanche.

Sir Patrick hesitated. It was impossible to say--as matters stood at
that moment--what distressing intelligence the two men might not have
brought of the missing woman. Duncan's return, accompanied by the
station-master, looked serious. Blanche instantly penetrated the secret
of her uncle's hesitation. She turned pale, and caught him by the
arm. "Don't send me away," she whispered. "I can bear any thing but
suspense."

"Out with it!" said Sir Patrick, holding his niece's hand. "Is she found
or not?"

"She's gone by the up-train," said the station-master. "And we know
where."

Sir Patrick breathed freely; Blanche's color came back. In different
ways, the relief to both of them was equally great.

"You had my orders to follow her," said Sir Patrick to Duncan. "Why have
you come back?"

"Your man is not to blame, Sir," interposed the station-master. "The
lady took the train at Kirkandrew."

Sir Patrick started and looked at the station-master. "Ay? ay? The next
station--the market-town. Inexcusably stupid of me. I never thought of
that."

"I took the liberty of telegraphing your description of the lady to
Kirkandrew, Sir Patrick, in case of accidents."

"I stand corrected, Mr. Murdoch. Your head, in this matter, has been the
sharper head of the two. Well?"

"There's the answer, Sir."

Sir Patrick and Blanche read the telegram together.

"Kirkandrew. Up train. 7.40 P.M. Lady as described. No luggage. Bag in
her ha