’You beheld this morning my wife and child; we can meet no more.  All that I can effect to console you under this sudden separation shall be done.  My banker from Bologna will be here in two days; express to him all your wishes.’

It was written, sealed, directed, and left upon the table at which they had so often been seated.  Herbert descended into the garden, saddled his horse, and in a few minutes, in the heart of night, had quitted Arqua.

CHAPTER VII.

The moment that the wife of Marmion Herbert re-entered her saloon, she sent for her courier and ordered horses to her carriage instantly.  Until they were announced as ready, Lady Annabel walked up and down the room with an impatient step, but was as completely silent as the miserable Venetia, who remained weeping on the sofa.  The confusion and curiosity of Mistress Pauncefort were extraordinary.  She still had a lurking suspicion that the gentleman was Lord Cadurcis and she seized the first opportunity of leaving the room, and flouncing into that of the stranger, as if by mistake, determined to catch a glimpse of him; but all her notable skill was baffled, for she had scarcely opened the door before she was met by the Italian lady, who received Mistress Pauncefort’s ready-made apology, and bowed her away.  The faithful attendant then hurried downstairs to crossexamine the waiter, but, though she gained considerable information from that functionary, it was of a perplexing nature; for from him she only learnt that the stranger lived at Arqua.  ‘The German gentleman!’ soliloquised Mistress Pauncefort; ’and what could he have to say to Miss Venetia! and a married man, too!  Well, to be sure, there is nothing like travelling for adventures!  And I must say, considering all that I know, and how I have held my tongue for nearly twenty years, I think it is very strange indeed of my lady to have any secrets from me.  Secrets, indeed!  Poh!’ and Mistress Pauncefort flounced again into Lady Annabel’s room, with a face of offended pride, knocking the books about, dashing down writing cases, tossing about work, and making as much noise and disturbance as if she had a separate quarrel with every single article under her superintendence.

In the meantime the carriage was prepared, to which they were obliged almost to carry Venetia, feeble and stupefied with grief.  Uncertain of her course, but anxious, in the present state of her daughter, for rest and quiet, Lady Annabel ordered the courier to proceed to Padua, at which city they arrived late at night, scarcely a word having been interchanged during the whole journey between Lady Annabel and her child, though infinite were the soft and soothing attentions which the mother lavished upon her.  Night, however, brought no rest to Venetia; and the next day, her state appeared so alarming to Lady Annabel, that she would have instantly summoned medical assistance, had it not been for Venetia’s strong objections.  ‘Indeed, dear mother,’ she said, ’it is not physicians that I require.  They cannot cure me.  Let me be quiet.’