Mrs. Stanhope looked at them inquiringly, but said not a word. Aunt Clarissa nervously buttered large slices of bread as fast as she could; the dish was piled high with them, for no one ate much. As Mrs. Stanhope left the table, she turned to Fani and said:-- “Go into the library and wait for me. I want to speak to you.” Fani grew white; Emma, red. “It’s coming now,” they said to themselves. As Mrs. Stanhope opened the door to leave the room, she was knocked against by a house-maid who was entering in great haste. “Excuse me, madam,” she said. “I was in such a hurry. Something else has happened. A servant has just come from the Crown Prince to say that the young gentleman for whom Master Oscar ordered a room there has not been at home all night; and this morning the shoemaker told them at the hotel that he was with the young man himself last evening, and saw him running like a crazy fellow down towards the river.” It was now Oscar’s turn to grow pale. Aunt Clarissa sent the maid away, saying that she would speak to the hotel servant herself. She was afraid that Lina would let out the secret of Fred’s untidy room if she were allowed to go on. Mrs. Stanhope looked very serious. “I don’t understand all this,” she said, turning to Clarissa; “but if the young stranger has anything to do with Oscar, I will be responsible for his bill at the hotel.” And she left the room. Emma instantly rushed to the school-room, seized her portfolio, and began to write as fast as her pen could go.