The very uncertainty as to the
nature of the cruel plot made it all the more dreadful; and he waited
with no very pleasant feelings for the development of his friend's
scheme.
When all was ready for the start, it was discovered that "dear Lady
Eversleigh" was missing. Servants were sent in every direction to
search for her; but with no avail. Sir Oswald was also missed; but
Plummer, the old groom, informed Mr. Eversleigh that his uncle had left
some hours before; and as some of the party had seen the baronet leave
the dinner-table, in compliance with a sudden summons, this occasioned
little surprise.
The next person missed was Victor Carrington. It was Lydia who drew
attention to the fact of his absence.
The party waited an hour, while search for Lady Eversleigh was renewed
in every direction, while many of the guests expressed their fears that
something must have happened to her--that she had wandered too far,
and lost her way in the wood--or that she had missed her footing on
the edge of one of the deep pools by the cavern, and had fallen into
the water--or that she had been attacked by ruffians.
But in due time it was discovered that Mr. Carrington had been seen to
take a gig from amongst the vehicles; and a lad, who had been in charge
of the gig and the horse belonging to it, told the other servants that
Mr. Carrington had said he wanted the vehicle to drive Lady Eversleigh
home.
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