For the second time that day she had wandered into the grounds by herself.

On this occasion, Miss Garth--who, after adopting Norah's opinions, had passed from the one extreme of over-looking Frank altogether, to the other extreme of believing him capable of planning an elopement at five minutes' notice--volunteered to set forth immediately, and do her best to find the missing young lady.

After a prolonged absence, she returned unsuccessful--with the strongest persuasion in her own mind that Magdalen and Frank had secretly met one another somewhere, but without having discovered the smallest fragment of evidence to confirm her suspicions.

By this time the carriage was at the door, and Mr.Vanstone was unwilling to wait any longer.

He and Norah drove away together; and Mrs.Vanstone and Miss Garth sat at home over their work.
In half an hour more, Magdalen composedly walked into the room.