They passed some fifteen or twenty minutes in pleasant social chat upon the event of the morning, the state of the weather, and the political, financial, or fashionable topics of the day.

In half an hour they felt disposed to yawn, and some surreptitiously consulted their watches.

Then one of the bridesmaids, at the request of Lady Belgrade, sat down to the piano and condescended to favor the company with a very fine wedding march.

Three quarters of an hour passed, and then the Baron Von Levison—­(Paul Levison, the head of the great Berlin branch of the banking-house of “Levison,” had been ennobled in Germany, as his brother had been knighted in England)—­Baron Von Levison then inquired of the bridegroom what train he intended to take.

“The tidal train, which leaves London Bridge Station at three-thirty,” answered the duke.

“Then your grace should leave here in fifteen minutes, if you wish to catch that train,” said the baron.

The bridegroom spoke aside to Lady Belgrade.

“Had we not better send and see if Salome is ready?  We have but little time to lose.”

“Yes,” said her ladyship, who immediately rang the bell, and dispatched a message to the young duchess’s dressing-maid.

A few minutes elapsed, and an answer was returned to the effect that her grace would be ready in time to catch the train.

The travelling carriage was at the door, and all the lighter luggage, such as dressing-bags, extra shawls and umbrellas, were put in it.

And they waited full fifteen minutes, without seeing or hearing from the loitering bride.

“I will go up to Salome myself,” said Lady Belgrade, impatiently.

“No, pray do not hurry her; if we miss this train we can take the next, and though we cannot catch the night-boat from Dover to Calais, we can stop at the ‘Lord Warden’ and cross the Channel to-morrow morning,” urged the duke.

“At least I will send another message to her, and let her know that the time is more than up,” said her ladyship.

And again she rang the bell and sent a servant with a message to the lady’s maid.

Full ten minutes passed, and then Margaret, the maid, came herself to the drawing-room door, begged pardon for her intrusion, and asked to speak with Lady Belgrade.

Lady Belgrade went out to her.

“What is it?  The time is up!  This delay is perfectly disgraceful.  They will never be able to catch the tidal train now—­never!” said her ladyship in a displeased tone.

“If you please, my lady, I am afraid something has happened,” said the girl, in a frightened tone.

“What do you mean?” inquired the dowager, sharply.

“If you please, my lady, I went up and found all the doors leading from the corridor into her grace’s suite of apartments locked fast.  I knocked and called, at first softly, then loudly, but received no answer.  I listened, my lady, but I heard no sound nor motion in the rooms.”