Blind Love

"I must find her ladyship."

The doctor smiled.

"Had you come here in a different spirit," he said, "I would have

spared you all this trouble. You come, however, with suspicion written

on your face. You have always been suspecting and watching. It may be

in a spirit of fidelity to your mistress; but such a spirit is not

pleasing to other people, especially when there is not a single person

who bears any resentment towards that mistress. Therefore, I have

allowed you to run over the empty house, and to satisfy your suspicious

soul. Lady Harry is not hidden here. As for Lord Harry--but you will

hear in due time no doubt. And now I don't mind telling you that I have

her ladyship's present address."

"Oh! What is it?"

"She appears to have passed through Paris on her way to Switzerland two

days ago, and has sent here her address for the next fortnight. She has

now, I suppose, arrived there. The place is Berne; the Hotel ----. But

how do I know that she wants you?"

"Of course she wants me."

"Or of course you want her? Very good. Yours is the responsibility, not

mine. Her address is the Hotel d'Angleterre. Shall I write it down for

you? There it is. 'Hotel d'Angleterre, Berne.' Now you will not forget.

She will remain there for one fortnight only. After that, I cannot say

whither she may go. And, as all her things have been sent away, and as

I am going away, I am not likely to hear."

"Oh I must go to her. I must find her!" cried the woman earnestly; "if

it is only to make sure that no evil is intended for her."

"That is your business. For my own part, I know of no one who can wish

her ladyship any evil."

"Is my lord with her?"

"I don't know whether that is your business. I have already told you

that he is gone. If you join your mistress in Berne, you will very soon

find out if he is there as well." Something in his tone made Fanny look

up quickly. But his face revealed nothing. "What shall you do then?"

asked the doctor. "You must make up your mind quickly whether you will

go back to England or whether you will go on to Switzerland. You cannot

stay here, because I am putting together the last things, and I shall

give the landlord the key of the house this evening. All the bills are

paid, and I am going to leave the place."