“He will not come with you?” “Oh, he would come fast enough, if he was there; but he is gone.” “Gone! To Homburg?” “No. Unfortunately, he is gone to England. Went off, by the fast train, an hour ago.” Ina fell back in silence, just as if she had been struck in the face. “He is traveling with an English family, and they have gone straight home. Here are their names. I looked in the visitors' book, and talked to the servant, and all. Mr. Vizard, Miss Vizard--” “Vizard?” “Yes--Miss Maitland, Miss Dover. See, I wrote them all down.” “Oh, I am unfortunate! Why was I ever born?” “Don't say that, don't say that. It is annoying: but we shall be able to trace him now; and, besides, I see other ways of getting hold of him.” Ina broke in upon his talk. “Take me to the nearest church,” she cried. “Man's words are vain. Ah, Jesu, let me cry to thee!” He took her to the nearest church. She went in, and prayed for full two hours. She came out, pale and listless, and Ashmead got her home how he could. Her very body seemed all crushed and limp. Ashmead left her, sad at heart himself. So long as she was in sight Ashmead could think only of her misery: but the moment she was out of sight, he remembered the theater. She was announced for Rosina that very night. He saw trouble of all sorts before him. He ran to the theater, in great alarm, and told the manager she had been taken very ill. He must change the bill. “Impossible!” was the reply. “If she can't sing, I close.” Ashmead went back to “The Star.” Ina was in her bedroom. He sent in a line, “Can you sing tonight? If not he says he must close.” The reply came back in rather a trembling hand. “I suffer too much by falsehood to break faith myself. I shall pray till night: and then I shall sing. If I die on the stage, all the better for me.” Was not this a great soul? CHAPTER XI. THAT same morning our English party snatched a hasty breakfast in traveling attire. Severne was not there; but sent word to Vizard he should be there in time. This filled the cup. Zoe's wounded pride had been rising higher and higher all the night, and she came down rather pale, from broken rest, and sternly resolved. She had a few serious words with Fanny, and sketched her out a little map of conduct, which showed that she had thought the matter well over. But her plan bid fair to be deranged: Severne was not at the station: then came a change. Zoe was restless, and cast anxious glances. But at the second bell he darted into the carriage, as if he had just dispatched some wonderful business to get there in time. While the train was starting, he busied himself in arranging his things; but, once started, he put on his sunny look and prepared to be, as usual, the life and soul of the party.