How was he to know the horrible secret of the
lake?
"Come away, Airlie!" cried Lord Earle. "I shall go mad! I will
call all the servants, and have a regular search."
In a few minutes the wildest confusion and dismay reigned in the
Hall; women wept aloud, and men's faces grew pale with fear.
Their beautiful, brilliant young mistress had disappeared, and
none knew her fate. They searched garden, park, and grounds; men
in hot haste went hither and thither; while Lady Earle lay half
dead with fear, and Lillian rested calmly, knowing nothing of
what had happened.
It was Lord Airlie who first suggested that the lake should be
dragged. The sun rode high in the heavens then, and shone
gloriously over water and land.
They found the drags, and Hewson, the butler, with Lee and
Patson, two gardeners, got into the boat. Father and lover stood
side by side on the bank. The boat glided softly over the water;
the men had been once round the lake, but without any result.
Hope was rising again in Lord Airlie's heart, when he saw those
in the boat look at each other, then at him.
"My lord," said Cowden, Lord Earle's valet, coming up to Hubert,
"pray take my master home; they have found something at the
bottom of the lake.
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