She did so.  The last song was to be ‘Annie Laurie,’ in which the children were perfect.  Annabel took the offered seat without speaking, and listened.

Bessie Bunce was near Mrs. Ormonde.  When the song was over she said: 

‘I’d like to hear Miss Trent sing that again; wouldn’t you, mum?’

’Yes, I should, Bessie.  Perhaps we shall have her here again some day.’

Mrs. Ormonde went down with Annabel to the drawing-room.  She was in a happy mood to-night, and, as they descended together, she put her arm playfully about the girl’s waist.

‘I wonder where Mr. Grail has taken her?’ she said.  ’I can’t get any news from Mr. Egremont.  I wrote to Jersey, and behold the letter is returned to me, with ‘Gone and left no address.’  I wonder whether he’s back in town!’

‘I have some news of him,’ Annabel said quietly.

‘Have you?’

There was no reply till they were in the drawing-room; then Annabel held out her cousin’s letter.

‘Will you read that?’

Mrs. Ormonde complied, Annabel watching her face the while.  The girl looked for indignation, for scornful disbelief; she saw something quite different.  Mrs. Ormonde’s hand trembled, but in a moment she had overcome all weakness.

‘Sit down, dear,’ she said, calmly.  ’You have just received this?  Yes, I see the date.’

Annabel remained standing.

‘Your letter is returned from Jersey,’ she remarked, with steady voice.  ‘Paula mentions no dates.  Did he go to Jersey at all?’

’I have no means of knowing, save his own declaration, when he said good-bye to me on Thursday of last week.  And be told me he was going to his old quarters at St. Aubin’s.’

‘Do you give credit to this, Mrs. Ormonde?’

’Annabel, I can say nothing.  Yet, no!  I do not believe it until it is confirmed beyond all doubt.  I owe that to him, as you also do.’

‘But it does not seem to you incredible.  I saw that on your face.’

’One thing suggested here is incredible, wholly incredible.  If there is any truth in the story at all, by this time she is his wife.  So much we know, you and I, Annabel.’

‘Yes.’

’Remember, it is possible that he is in Jersey.  The old rooms may have been occupied.’

’The people would know where he had gone, I think, Though if he—­if he was not alone, probably he would go to a new place at once.  He may have told you the truth in saying he was going to Jersey.’

’Then it was needless to add the untruth.  I did not ask him where he would live.  Sit down, dear.’

’Thank you.  I shall not stay now.  I thought it was better to come to you with this at once.  Please destroy the letter.’

Mrs. Ormonde mused.

‘Can you still go to your aunt’s?’ she asked, when Annabel moved for leave-taking.

‘You are taking the truth for granted, Mrs. Ormonde.’