_THE BOOKBINDER AND HIS PUPIL._

It was the middle of the day before they were missed. Their absence
caused for a time no commotion; the servants said nurse must have taken
the child for his usual walk. But when the nurse from London came, and,
after renewed search and inquiry, nothing was heard of them, their
disappearance could no longer be kept from lady Ann. She sent to inform
her husband.

Sir Wilton asked a question or two of her messenger, said the thing must
be seen to, finished his cigar, threw the stump in the fire, and went to
his wife; when at once they began to discuss, not the steps to be taken
for the recovery of the child, but the woman's motive for stealing him.
The lady insisted it was revenge for having been turned away, and that
she would, as soon as she reached a suitable place, put an end to his
life: she had seen murder in her eyes! The father opined there was no
such danger: he remembered, though he did not mention it, the peculiarity
of the woman's behaviour when first he saw her. There was no limit, he
said, to the unnatural fancies of women; some were disgustingly fond of
children, even other women's children. Plain as the infant was, he did
not doubt she had taken a fancy to him, and therefore declined to part
with him. The element of revenge might, he allowed, have a share in the
deed; but that would be satisfied with leaving them in doubt of his fate.
For his part, he made her welcome to him! To this lady Ann gave no
answer: she was not easily shocked, and could, without consternation,
have regarded his disappearance as final. But something must at least
appear to be done! Unpleasant things might be said, and uncertainty was
full of annoyance!

"You must be careful, sir Wilton," she remarked. "Nobody thinks you