Josephine was the proper person to go on this errand; but when I asked for Josephine, she was nowhere to be found.

The housemaid, who had searched for her ineffectually, brought word that her bonnet and shawl were not hanging in their usual places.

The parlor-maid, who had been in attendance in my mistress's room, came down while we were all aghast at this new disappearance.

She could only tell us that Josephine had begged her to do lady's-maid's duty that morning, as she was not well.

Not well! And the first result of her illness appeared to be that she had left the house! I cautioned the servants on no account to mention this circumstance to my mistress, and then went upstairs myself to knock at her door.