Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 2).djvu/11

 pursue her through different roads, we soon shall hear of the faithless wretch, whom I blush to call daughter." The servants were instantly summoned; it was a dark, stormy night, but I ordered them to prepare horses for me and for themselves; it was impossible in such weather they could travel fast. On examining we found her clothes were gone. Agnes, who had waited on her, said, "that when she carried the biscuits the Lady ordered her to retire." The Count, with some of my vassals, were to search all the neighbouring cottages, whilst we scoured the roads. Heedless of the weather, myself and four servants took one direction; two more, with some of the tenantry I had caused to be called together, took another, and large rewards were promised to the successful pursuer.

Two days and nights were spent in a vain pursuit round the country and through the woods, without obtaining the least intelligence to guide our search, and I began to be well convinced that she must be concealed somewhere in my own neighbourhood. I