‘Just like Tessie!’ I thought. ‘She thinks to cheat me into snoring till six o’clock in the morning. But I am one too many for her!’ I lit my candle, slipped on the shoes, which were the only articles of dress I had disencumbered myself of, and stole noiselessly across the corridor into the sisters’ room. How quietly Ange must be sleeping! There was not a sound but her breathing to be heard. Surely she must be better! The room was wrapt in gloom; it was foolish of Tessie not to have procured a lamp. I threw the light of my taper across the bed. The first thing I perceived was the form of Tessie, seated on the ground, with her head against the counterpane, and fast asleep. The words of Scripture flashed across my mind, ‘Could ye not watch one hour?’ But I excused her. ‘Poor girl,’ I thought, ‘she is really weak! It is a physical impossibility for her to keep awake.’ The next moment I had thrown my light _upon_ the bed to see how Ange fared. Merciful heavens! _Where was she?_ I rushed up to the couch and pulled down the clothes impetuously. It was empty—void! I glanced round the room: it was in the same condition. _Ange was gone!_ ‘Tessie, Tessie!’ I exclaimed loudly, as I shook that young lady into consciousness again. ‘Where is your sister? Where is Ange?’ She waked with a start of bewilderment, and became as horrified as myself. ‘But she was _here_—she was _here_!’ she kept on repeating. ‘I only went to sleep for a minute, indeed, Hilda! I left her sleeping safely here.’ ‘I believe it; but while you slept she has escaped. We must search every corner of the house at once. Come with me! there is not a moment to lose!’ We rushed from room to room without success. Ange was apparently nowhere on the premises. I clasped my hands upon my forehead to try and decide what to do next. Escaped! and in the middle of the night! Where could she have gone to? Where could she _wish_ to go? I had it! Like an inspiration the answer came to me: ‘To the Hôtel d’Etoile!’ ‘Tessie!’ I cried, ‘you must stay here, in case Ange returns. Go and wake Madame Marmoret to keep you company. And I will go and search for her in the town.’ ‘_In the town!_ Oh, Hilda, how could she be in the town? It is impossible!’ ‘Find her in the house then!’ I exclaimed, as I ran out of the front door, which was never fastened, night nor day, and flew down the steep stony street, in the direction of the Hôtel d’Etoile, as fast as my feet could carry me. It was the principal hotel in the place, and boasted of a billiard-room, which was on the ground-floor and fronted the street. The young men in St. Pucelle made this billiard-room their nightly rendezvous: and it was here that Sophy Markham had averred that Charteris spent all his evenings.