Page:The Fate of Fenella (1892).djvu/174

 Bring him to me at once. Fenella murmured in her delirium that he was with you."

"Have you not sailed? You and Lady Francis have not started, then, for Brazil, after all?" she asked in bewilderment.

"No," he answered impatiently. "I haven't the least idea what you are talking about. There never was any question of our going to Brazil, Fenella is lying at death's door, and I have come here to fetch Ronny away."

"But, Frank, Ronny has gone. You yourself sent for him. Surely you must remember having done so."

"I sent to fetch Ronny! Helen, have you taken leave of your senses?" And he gripped her hard by the wrist.

"Don't, Frank," shaking him off, and fearing for his reason as she looked into his wild eyes; "you hurt me."

"I sent no one to take Ronny away," he said, with increasing excitement. "Do you mean to say that the child is not here?"

"No, Ronny left us several days ago. I made sure that you knew."

Lord Francis staggered. The intelligence fairly prostrated him. For a moment or two he could not speak; then, in a hoarse voice, he said:

"Of course you know where the boy has gone, Helen? You can tell me where to find him? It is of the utmost importance that I should