Noon had come and passed, luncheon was served, yet there was no sign of the earl, Lord Arleigh was not uneasy, but he longed for his friend's society.
At last he decided upon going in search of him.

He had perhaps lost his way in the woods, or he had mistaken some road.

It was high time that they looked after him--he had been so many hours absent without apparent cause.

Lord Arleigh whistled for his two favorite dogs, Nero and Venus, and started out in search of his friend.
He went through the woods and down the high-road, but there was no sign of the earl.

"He must have walked home by another route," thought Lord Arleigh; and he went back to Beechgrove.