My lady is waiting breakfast for your grace," respectfully answered the footman.
He longed to ask if any news had been heard of the missing one, but he forbore to do so, and hurried away up-stairs to the breakfast parlor.
There he found Lady Belgrade, dressed in a purple cashmere robe, and wrapped in a rich India shawl, reclining in a rocking-chair beside a breakfast-table laid for two.
"Good morning, madam.

I fear I have kept your ladyship waiting," said the duke, as he entered the room.
"Not a second, my dear duke.

I have but just this instant come down," answered the dowager, politely, and unhesitatingly telling the conventional lie, as she put out her hand and touched the bell.
"I fear that it is useless to ask you if there is any news of our missing girl," said the duke, in a low tone.
"I have heard nothing.

And you?
Of course, you have not, or you would not have asked me the question.

But, good Heaven, Duke, you are as pale as a ghost! You look as if you had just risen from a sick bed! You look full twenty years older than you did yesterday.