CHAPTER VIII
"For all things born one gate
Opens, . . . and no man sees
Beyond the gods and Fate."
SWINBURNE.
WHEN Emile arrived at the Hippodrome, only a few minutes after his
usual time, he found no one but the dresser, who was clearing away the
litter of clothes, jewellery, powder-puffs and flowers.
Arithelli had vanished.
She had never before failed to wait for him, and he knew she would not
have started alone without some very good reason. He questioned the
dresser and found she knew nothing beyond that "La Nina," as she called
the girl affectionately, had left immediately after her last turn. She
had asked if the Senor had been in yet, but hearing he had not, she had
dressed and gone at once. She had not even stayed to put on a cloak,
and had left her hair still in a plait, and only a _velo_ over it. She
had seemed in great haste (but that was always so with the English!)
and had looked ill. The Senor must not be alarmed, she added, folding
Arithelli's blue habit with wrinkled, careful hands.
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