I don't believe I shall ever understand her." And Mrs.Loring fretted a little in her moderate way, not being capable of any very profound emotion.

Ten, fifteen, twenty minutes--half an hour she waited for Jessie to appear.

But there was no movement in the neighborhood of her chamber.
"Didn't Jessie go to her room, after the gentleman went away ?" asked Mrs.Loring, speaking to a servant, who was passing down the stairs.
"Yes, ma'am." "Is she there now ?" "I believe so ma'am.

I haven't seen her anywhere about the house." The servant passed on, and Mrs.Loring waited for full half an hour longer.

Then, unable to repress impatient curiosity, she went to Jessie's room and knocked at the door.