And for what a night of strange dreams, prayers, and uncertainties did Frank shut himself in--only forcing himself by resolute will into sleeping at last, because he knew that strength and coolness were needful for to-morrow's investigation. CHAPTER XXXVII HOPE That last sleep lasted long, till the sound of the little tinkling bell came through the open window, and then the first waking thought that Mite was alive was at first taken for a mere blissful dream. It was only the sight of the woolly dog that recalled with certainty the conversation with Ida. To pursue that strange hint was of course the one impulse. The bell had ceased before Frank had been able to finish dressing, but the house was so far from having wakened to full life, that remembering the lateness of the breakfast hour, he decided on hastening out to lay his anxious, throbbing feelings before his God, if only to join in the prayer that our desires may be granted as may be most expedient for us. Nor was he without a hope that the girl whom Constance described as so devout and religious might be found there. And she was; he knew her by sight well enough to accost her when she came out with 'Miss Rollstone, I believe?' She bowed, her heart thumping almost as much as the father's, in the importance of what she had to tell, and the doubt how much she had a right to speak without betrayal. 'I am told,' Lord Northmoor said, with a tremble in his voice, 'that you think you saw my poor little boy.' 'I am almost sure I did,' said Rose. 'And when, may I ask?' 'On the evening of the Wednesday in Whitsun week,' said Rose. 'Just when he was lost--and where?' 'At the North Station. I had got into the train at the main station. I saw him put into the train at the North one, and taken out at Waterloo.' 'And why--why, may I ask, have we been left--have we never heard this before?' His voice shook, as he thought of all the misery to himself and his wife that might have been spared, as well as the danger of the child. Rose hesitated, doubting how much she ought to say, and Mr. Deyncourt came out. 'May I introduce myself?' said Frank, hoping for an auxiliary,--'Lord Northmoor. I have just heard that Miss Rollstone thinks she saw my little boy in the London train the day he disappeared; and I am trying to understand whether there is really any hope that she is right, and that we can recover him.' Mr. Deyncourt was infinitely surprised, and spoke a few words of wonder that this had not been made known. Rose found it easier to speak to him. 'I saw Louisa Hall with him; I did not know she was not still his maid. I thought she had been sent to take him somewhere. And when I heard from home that he--he was--drowned, I only thought the likeness had deceived me. It was not till Mr. Morton came home, and we talked it over, that I understood that Louisa Hall was dismissed long ago, and was eloping to Canada.