"'I will see the gentleman. Show him into the front room.'

"Mr. Rothsay arose and went into the front room to receive his visitor.
It was late, and I was very tired, so I went up stairs to my chamber and
retired to bed. I have never seen my husband since."

And Corona dropped her face upon her hands and sobbed as if her heart
would break. She had utterly broken down for the first time.

"Good heavens! I don't understand it all! Had you had a lover's quarrel
now in that hour when you talked together in this parlor?" inquired the
old gentleman, his insane anger being now merged in wonder. "Had you
reproached him for spending so much time with his political friends
while you were waiting here alone?"

"Oh, no, no," replied Corona, between her convulsive sobs.

"Good heavens!" again exclaimed the old man. "When did you first miss
him?"

"When I came down in the morning. I thought then that he had been kept
up all night by his friends, and that I should meet him at breakfast. He
did not appear at breakfast. The servants searched for him all over the
house, but could not find him. I waited breakfast until I was faint with
fasting and suspense. Then I took a cup of coffee. On inquiry it was
found that Jasper had been the last to see him, and that he had not seen
him since he showed the visitor in. He did not show the visitor out. He
waited some time to do so, and fell asleep. When he awoke the visitor
had gone, and the drawing rooms were empty. The man supposed that Mr.
Rothsay had seen his friend to the door, and had then retired to bed.