Mr. Mildmay reached the Rectory to find poor Mrs. Vane in a sad state of fright. Biddy's absence had not been discovered for some time, as Rosalys was busy with her mother, and Rough had not come in from school, and everybody, if they thought about her at all, naturally thought she was with some one else. For a girl of seven or eight should surely be sensible enough to be left to herself for an hour in her own nursery or schoolroom! But once the hue and cry after her began, it really did seem as if there were cause for alarm. Every one had some new idea to suggest, ending by Rough, who, as he came riding in on his pony and heard the news, declared she must be hiding out of mischief. But no--a very short search dispelled that possibility, and the pony had to be saddled again for Rough to set off as fast as he could to Seacove to inquire if the truant had perhaps followed Celestina home. 'And your father not in yet either,' said Mrs. Vane. 'Oh, Alie, what _can_ be the matter? Can something have happened to him that Biddy has heard of, and that has made her run off to him--poor Biddy, she is very fond of papa. But if she has run away out of mischief, Alie--oh, _could_ she be such a naughty, naughty girl?' Mrs. Vane was dreadfully excited. Alie had hard work to keep back her own tears. 'Just as we were _so_ happy about the doll-house for her too,' Mrs. Vane went on. Rosalys gave a little sob. 'I _think_ perhaps she's at Celestina's,' she said. But in less time than could have been expected back dashed Rough. No, Biddy was not, had not been at Pier Street, but Celestina and her mother were following him as fast as they could to the Rectory--Celestina had an idea--she would explain it all--but she begged Mrs. Vane to send down to the shore; the sea was out, and it was still light enough to see any one there a good way off. A party was at once despatched to the sands, in vain, as we know, for by this time Mr. Mildmay had landed from his boat and was hurrying along to calm Mrs. Vane's anxiety. He arrived there a quarter of an hour or so after Mrs. Fairchild and her daughter, so Celestina had had time to explain the idea which had struck her--we know what it was, and that it was the true one--and to relate to Mrs. Vane all her reasons for imagining it possible that self-willed, obstinate Biddy had set out on her own account to walk to the lighthouse. So when Mr. Mildmay appeared and told his strange story, his hearers were able to explain what to him and Mr. Vane had seemed a complete mystery. 'How _could_ she be so naughty?' Mrs. Vane exclaimed. But Alie touched her gently. 'Only, dear mamma,' she whispered, 'think; she might have been drowned.' 'And so might your father, and as it is, I tremble to think what the consequences may be for him. I do feel as if I could not forgive Bridget,' said Mrs. Vane excitedly. Mrs. Fairchild was very, very sorry for her, but she was a brave woman. She managed to draw Mrs. Vane aside.