“Salome is not in her apartments.  I have sent a servant to seek her through the house.  Her delay has made you miss the train, your grace,” said Lady Belgrade, in visible annoyance.

“That does not much matter, so that the delay has not been caused by her indisposition,” said the young duke, earnestly.

“No indisposition could possibly excuse such eccentricity of conduct at such a time.  Salome is moving somewhere about the house, according to her crazy custom,” said Lady Belgrade.

“I really cannot hear that sweet girl so cruelly maligned, even by her aunt,” said the duke, with a deprecating smile.

As they spoke, the Baron Von Levison appeared and said: 

“I should have been very glad to have seen you off, duke, and to have thrown a metaphorical old shoe after you; but your bride seems to have taken so long to tie her bonnet strings, that she has made you miss your train.  And now you can’t go until the night express, and I really can’t wait to see you off by that.  I have an appointment at the Bank of England at four.  God bless you, my dear duke.  Make my adieux to my niece, and tell her that if the men of her family had been as unpunctual as the women seem to be, they never would have established banks all over Europe.”

And with a hearty shake of the bridegroom’s hand, and a deep bow to Lady Belgrade, the Baron Von Levison took leave.

His example was followed by the bishop and the rector, who now came up and expressed regret at the inconvenience the bridegroom would experience by having missed his train, but agreed that it was much better to know that fact before starting for it, and having the long drive to London Bridge Station and back again for nothing.  And they extolled the comfort of the night express, and the elegance of accommodations to be found at the Lord Warden Hotel.  And upon the whole, they concluded that his grace had not missed much, after all, in missing the “tidal.”

Then again they wished much happiness to attend the married life of the young couple, and so bade adieux and departed.

There now remained of the wedding guests only the two bridesmaids and the groomsmen.

These were grouped near one of the bay-windows, and engaged in a subdued conversation.

The Duke of Hereward and Lady Belgrade still stood near the door, waiting for news of the lingering bride.

To them, at length, came the maid, Margaret, with pallid face and frightened air.

“If you please, my lady, we have searched all over the house and inquired of everybody in it.  But no one has seen her grace, nor can she be found.”

CHAPTER XVII.

THE LOST LADY OF LONE.

“Cannot be found?  Whatever do you mean, girl?  You cannot mean to say that the Duchess of Hereward is not in this house?” demanded Lady Belgrade, in amazement.

“I beg pardon, my lady; but we have made a thorough search of the premises, without being able to find her grace,” respectfully answered the maid.