CHAPTER XXIII.
A DAWN OF RAIN That crash of the closing door did not awake Beatrice only; it awoke both Elizabeth and Mr.Granger.Elizabeth sat up in bed straining her eyes through the gloom to see what had happened.

They fell on Beatrice's bed--surely--surely---- Elizabeth slipped up, cat-like she crept across the room and felt with her hand at the bed.

Beatrice was not there.

She sprang to the blind and drew it, letting in such light as there was, and by it searched the room.

She spoke: "Beatrice, where are you ?" No answer.
"Ah--h," said Elizabeth aloud; "I understand.