MY DEAR MISS BRANDE:—In withdrawing from the Headland, for an indefinite number of years, I do not throw up the lease; but leaving the key in charge of Neptune, I beg that during my absence you will freely use the house. Enclosed, you will find payment for the whole term of the lease. Truly your friend, ESTELLE. “And that is all!” simultaneously exclaimed the father and the lover. “Yes.” They were not contented. They left the carriage and went into the office of the lawyer whom they minutely questioned. But he could tell them absolutely nothing. They re-entered the carriage, and, at Barbara’s suggestion, drove to the dwelling of the parish clergyman. This venerable man had attended Estelle in her illness; but he could give them no satisfaction as to her present retreat. All further inquiries in that neighborhood proved fruitless. Evidently Estelle had concealed from all, the place of her destination. With heavy hearts they returned to their vessel. The next morning they set sail for Baltimore, where they duly arrived. For weeks Sir Parke and Lord Montressor pursued their search through the city. Then finding all their efforts unavailing, they took leave of Barbara Brande and of Baltimore, and began a tour of all the principal cities in the United States. Meanwhile they appointed an agent in New York to whom all communications for themselves were to be addressed. Then they inserted in all the newspapers, carefully-worded advertisements, designed to be understood by Estelle alone, and to be answered through this agent. After several months of fruitless travel, search, and anxious waiting, it occurred to Sir Parke that his daughter might possibly have returned to her native country. And acting upon this idea, and still accompanied by his intended son-in-law, the baronet sailed for England. CHAPTER XXXII. THE FLIGHT FROM THE HEADLAND. “Overlive it?—lower yet—be happy? —wherefore should I care? I myself must mix with action, Lest I wither by despair!”—_Tennyson._ Estelle had been too strong to die. With the skillful attention of the village physician, the devoted care of her faithful servant, and the fervent prayers of the parish minister, she had recovered from her long and dangerous illness. The first use she made of her convalescence was to abandon the Headland House. Since the first exciting visit of Lord Montressor to the place, the scene had become insufferable to her. To fly from it, or to lose her reason seemed the only alternative.