CHAPTER XXVI IN BETSY’S ROOM MRS. BRUCE did not sleep much after her stormy ebullition. She heard Irving and Robert come in, and knew that Irving came softly to her door and tried it. Finding it locked, he moved away as quietly. She knew he was feeling a tardy anxiety about her, and she wept again. Toward morning she fell asleep, and when next her eyes opened, the sun was high. Only the slumberous sound of the sea broke the Sabbath stillness. From force of habit Mrs. Bruce put her hand out to touch the bell on the table beside her bed. It always summoned Betsy with the cup of hot water she liked to drink before she rose. She arrested her own movement. What! Was Betsy to be allowed to fall into the usual routine and minister to her mistress’s needs as if nothing had happened? Summon her? Certainly not. Betsy must be made to feel that a change had taken place, and that she must exhibit some regret before she could be received back into favor. So Mrs. Bruce arose and made her toilet, and donning a negligée of silk and lace, proceeded to the dining-room. Irving and Robert were already there, and Alice, the cook, was putting breakfast on the table. Irving strode forward to meet her. He noted her heavy eyes as he kissed her forehead. “Pardon, Madama, I thought you weren’t coming down. Nixie and I are in a hurry, and as long as Betsy was busy with you, I asked Alice to put the things on the table.” Mrs. Bruce moved to her place. “Betsy hasn’t been with me,” she said. “She hasn’t? The poor dear must be ill then,” said Irving with concern. “Alice says she hasn’t been downstairs. Go up, will you,” he continued to the cook who was just leaving the room, “please go up to Betsy’s room and see what is the matter.” The three seated themselves, and Mrs. Bruce’s dainty hands grew busy with the coffee percolator. Irving’s furtive glances assured him that there had been a storm. Discretion suggested that no reference be made to last evening. Fearing therefore that Nixie might err in that line, he hastened to speak. “We’ve a great plan on for to-day, Madama,” he began, “and you’re in it.” “That is certainly surprising,” rejoined the lady. “We tried to find you at the inn to tell you about it last night,” said Nixie with insistent cheer, “but you were so exclusive, nobody knew where you were, and at last we found you had come home.” Mrs. Bruce’s lips compressed firmly and her eyes could not lift above the percolator. Irving stepped warningly on his friend’s foot under the table. At this juncture Alice returned. She seemed to be laboring under some excitement which made her forget her previous embarrassment in the unfamiliar region of the dining-room. “Betsy isn’t there,” she said. “Queer,” remarked Irving, without looking up from the egg he was breaking. “She’s _gone_!” declared the girl. “Look on the dresser!” burst forth Robert dramatically. “The note will be found.”