A little longer he sat asking questions to which he could furnish no answers. "I shall go to Surbiton," he said at last, "and ask her what she means. She has not forbidden me to see her, and I shall go at once." But when he reached Ivydene, Kitty was not to be seen; she had left Surbiton by an early train that morning. He found the house in some confusion, and in answer to his inquiries, he could discover no more than that Miss Thornton had departed for Yorkshire. He saw both his mother and his sister, but could glean very little from them. Both, he noticed, were greatly excited and distressed, but they told him that, beyond saying it was necessary for her to leave, Kitty had offered no explanation. "I cannot understand it at all," said Mrs. Eversleigh. "Have you no idea of what has occurred to cause her to act in this strange manner, Gilbert?" she asked her son. "I have not the slightest idea," replied Gilbert. "I got a short note this morning from her. It said nothing about leaving you. She said she had changed her mind with regard to our engagement, and that she was going to marry Mr. Bennet." "Marry Mr. Bennet?" exclaimed Mrs. Eversleigh, her eyes wide with astonishment. "She did not tell me that. Oh, Gilbert, what does it all mean? My heart misgives me, there is something frightfully wrong! She told us last night, without any warning, that she was leaving us. Of course I did not like to question her--I had no right, and her manner was forbidding. But the poor girl looked very sad and unhappy. I spoke to your father about her, but he was too ill and miserable to discuss the subject, or, indeed, any subject. I did not wish him to go to town to-day; but he said it was most important he should go, and he went." "Did he appear surprised at Miss Thornton's decision?" "I cannot say he did. When she told him she was going, he only nodded." "Do you think he knows why she has gone, and why she is going to marry Mr. Bennet?" "I asked him these very questions, Gilbert; but he said he could not tell me anything. It is all very strange!" "Very strange!" cried Gilbert. "It is perfectly maddening!" "Perhaps you had better see your father," suggested Mrs. Eversleigh. "Yes; I'll go to him at once," said Gilbert. "You will be gentle and careful, Gilbert!" urged his mother. "More than once lately I have been forced to think the troubles through which your father has recently passed have been almost too much for him. He is all the time in a state of fever both of body and mind. You will not forget that, my son!" "Certainly not, mother," replied Gilbert. Eversleigh had expected Gilbert would come to him, but, up to the moment of seeing him, was uncertain how to act. Gilbert, when he met his father, began by stating he had received an extraordinary letter from Miss Thornton, in which she broke off her engagement with him, and announced her intention of marrying Bennet.