“MY LORD:—Conscience compels me to withdraw from you. Only to avoid hindrance I go secretly. An Act of Parliament will free you from the bond of our merely nominal marriage. Farewell, my Lord! May you be happy with a happier woman than the lost ESTELLE.” “What does all this mean? When did she go? Where has she gone? _How_ has she gone? What friends has she? What means? Answer, in the name of Heaven, sir, if you can!” exclaimed Lord Montressor, in extreme agitation. “Ah, my lord, I do not know. I cannot tell. How should I? Except—yes! give me time!” cried the old man, wiping the beaded drops from his forehead, and struggling to regain composure. “Well, sir? Well?” exclaimed Lord Montressor, impatiently. “Yes! Well, when did she go, you ask? Stay! let me collect myself and think—yes, she certainly last night spoke of going,” said the old man somewhat incoherently. “Last night she spoke of going, and you did not warn me? Oh, Mr. Oldfield!” exclaimed his lordship, reproachfully. “My lord, she only _spoke_ of going, and invoked my assistance. I refused to aid her, and endeavored to persuade her from her purpose. Had I suspected she was about to depart, I should at once have summoned your lordship. But who could have foreseen that she would have left us in this sudden manner?” “She spoke last night of going! Inform me, sir, if you please, and as nearly as you can recollect, _all_ that passed last night upon that subject.” “I will endeavor to comply, my lord,” said the clergyman, who then commenced and related the conversation that had taken place between himself and Lady Montressor in that parlor on the evening previous. Lord Montressor groaned aloud. “Sir, did she drop no hint as to _whither_ she intended to go?” “Not a word, not a breath, my lord!” “Unhappy girl! Oh Estelle! Estelle! whom I would have gathered into my bosom, safe from all the storms of life! where are you now? Oh! Estelle, Estelle!” he groaned, burying his face in his hands. In another moment he started up. “We waste time, Mr. Oldfield. Show me into her room. Perhaps there, some clue may be found to her flight.” With a deep sigh the aged minister nodded assent, and preceded his friend up the stairs, and into the deserted chamber lately occupied by Lady Montressor. Lord Montressor, who had by this time recovered his presence of mind, calmly and collectedly went about the business of investigation. “The bed has not been occupied; she did not therefore sleep here. But the couch is pressed; she must have laid down to rest. Let me see: here are the sperm candles, half burned down; she must have passed some hours of the night here. Her trunks are here; therefore she must have preferred to go out very quietly, and without calling assistance,” he said, going about the room, and making his observations.