The chrysanthemums were all withered by this time, and there were now no flowers in the old-fashioned garden.

The bell was answered by the same woman who had admitted him before, and who made no parley about letting him in this time.
"My young missus said I was to be sure and let her know if you came, sir," she said; "she's very anxious to see you." "Your young mistress; do you mean Mrs.Holbrook ?" "No, sir; Miss Carley, master's daughter." "Indeed! I remember the young lady; I shall be very happy to see her if she has anything to say to me; but it is Mrs.Holbrook I have come to see.

She is at home, I suppose ?" "O dear no, sir; Mrs.Holbrook has left, without a word of notice, gone nobody knows where.

That is what has made our young missus fret about it so." "Mrs.Holbrook has left!" Gilbert exclaimed in blank amazement; "when ?" "It's more than a week ago now, sir." "And do none of you know why she went away, or where she has gone ?" "No more than the dead, sir.

But you'd better see Miss Carley; she'll be able to tell you all about it." The woman led him into the house, and to the room in which he had seen Marian.