But even he quailed at the sudden shock that fell upon us at the very
same moment. Where was Henriette?
After the first excitement, we desired to pass on the news brought by
l'Echelle to her, and renew our entreaties for extreme caution in her
comings and goings; and with much misgiving we learnt that she was not
in the hotel. She had gone out with Victorine and Ralph as usual, but
unattended by any of us. One Moor, Achmet El Mansur, was with her, we
were told, but we did not trust him entirely. It had been l'Echelle's
turn to accompany her, but he had been diverted from his duty by the
pressing necessity of following Lord Blackadder. Basil and I had
ridden out quite early on a long expedition, from which we only
returned when l'Echelle did.
We dismissed our fears, hoping they were groundless, and looking to be
quite reassured presently when she came back at the luncheon hour.
But one o'clock came, and two, and two-thirty, but not a sign of
Henriette, nor a word in explanation of her absence.
Could she have fallen a victim to the machinations of Lord Blackadder?
Was the boy captured and she detained while he was spirited away?
CHAPTER XXX.
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