On the following morning the breakfast at Mannering was a very tame and silent affair.

Forest was not in attendance, and the under housemaid, who commonly replaced him when absent, could not explain his non-appearance.

He and his wife lived in a cottage beyond the stables, and all that could be said was that he 'had not come in.' The Squire also was absent.

But as his breakfast habits were erratic, owing to the fact that he slept badly and was often up and working at strange seasons of the night, neither of his daughters took any notice.

Elizabeth did not feel inclined to say anything of her own observations in the small hours.