At length, this new disaster was explained.

Two days before his arrival, his wife's chamber was found empty.

No search, however diligent and anxious, could trace her steps.

No cause could be assigned for her disappearance.

The mother and child had fled away together.
"New exertions were made, her chamber and cabinets were ransacked, but no vestige was found serving to inform them as to the motives of her flight, whether it had been voluntary or otherwise, and in what corner of the kingdom or of the world she was concealed.