Thenheplacidlydismissedthematter，andwentonwithhisdailyaffairs。BythistimeEllaathomehadcometoadetermination。
Mrs。Hooper，insendingthehairandphotograph，hadinformedherofthedayofthefuneral；andasthemorningandnoonworeonanoverpoweringwishtoknowwheretheywerelayinghimtookpossessionofthesympatheticwoman。Caringverylittlenowwhatherhusbandoranyoneelsemightthinkofhereccentricities；shewroteMarchmillabriefnote，statingthatshewascalledawayfortheafternoonandevening，butwouldreturnonthefollowingmorning。
Thissheleftonhisdesk，andhavinggiventhesameinformationtotheservants，wentoutofthehouseonfoot。
WhenMr。Marchmillreachedhomeearlyintheafternoontheservantslookedanxious。Thenursetookhimprivatelyaside，andhintedthathermistress’ssadnessduringthepastfewdayshadbeensuchthatshefearedshehadgoneouttodrownherself。Marchmillreflected。
Uponthewholehethoughtthatshehadnotdonethat。Withoutsayingwhitherhewasboundhealsostartedoff，tellingthemnottositupforhim。Hedrovetotherailway-station，andtookaticketforSolentsea。