“From whom is this letter?” I asked trembling.

“Your father left it, madam, with his servant, to be given to you when you should rise.”

“My father left it! Where is he? Is he not here?”

“No; he quitted the house before four this morning.”

“Good God! He is gone! But tell how this was; speak quick!”

Her relation was short. He had gone in the carriage to the nearest town where he took a post chaise and horses with orders for the London road. He dismissed his servants there, only telling them that he had a sudden call of business and that they were to obey me as their mistress until his return.