"And why is she not with you?" Helene cried. "I must go and see her. How delightful it sounds!"
"One day, about three months ago," Mr. Sabin continued, "she left me to go to New York for two days. Her milliner in Paris had sent over, and twice a year Lucille used to buy clothes. I had sometimes accompanied her, but she knew how I detested New York, and this time she did not press me to go. She left me in the highest spirits, as tender and gracefully affectionate as ever. She never returned."
"I have never seen her since," he repeated.
"Have you no clue? She could not have left you willingly. Have you no idea where she is?"
"Yes," he said, "I know where she is. She came to Europe with Lady Carey. She is staying with the Duchess of Dorset."
There was a moment's silence. Helene was bewildered.
"No. I did not even know where she was until you told me."
"But why do you wait a single moment?" she asked. "There must be some explanation. Let me order a carriage now. I will drive round to Dorset House with you."
She half rose. He held out his hand and checked her.
"There are other things to be explained," he said quickly. "Sit down, Helene."
"For your own sake," he continued, "there are certain facts in connection with this matter which I must withhold. All I can tell you is this. There are people who have acquired a hold upon Lucille so great that she is forced to obey their bidding. Lady Carey is one, the Duchess of Dorset is another. They are no friends of mine, and apparently Lucille has been taken away from me by them."
"A--a hold upon her?" Helene repeated vaguely.
"It is all I can tell you. You must suppose an extreme case. You may take my word for it that under certain circumstances Lucille would have no power to deny them anything."
"But--without a word of farewell. They could not insist upon her leaving you like that! It is incredible!"
Helene caught herself looking at him stealthily. Was it possible that this wonderful brain had given way at last? There were no signs of it in his face or expression. But the Duchess of Dorset! Lady Carey! These were women of her own circle--Londoners, and the Duchess, at any rate, a woman of the very highest social position and unimpeached conventionality.