"
"She had not been there when I came down an hour ago," said Anne;
"at least, not with Mrs. Poynsett. They may have had her in the
housekeeper's room. I had better go and hasten her home."
Julius came in shortly after, but before he had heard the tale of
Fanny Reynolds, Anne had returned to say that neither child nor
nurse had been at the Hall, nor passed the large gate that morning.
It was growing rather alarming. The other servants said Emma had
taken the baby out as usual in the morning, but had not returned to
dinner, and they too had supposed her at the Hall. None of the
dependants of the Hall in the cottages round knew anything of her,
but at last Dilemma Hornblower imparted that she had seen my lady's
baby's green cloak atop of a tax-cart going towards Wil'sbro'.
Now Emma had undesirable relations, and Rosamond had taken her in
spite of warning that her uncle was the keeper of the 'Three
Pigeons.' The young parents stood looking at one another, and
Rosamond faintly said, "If that girl has taken her to the races!"
"I'm more afraid of that fever in Water Lane," said Julius.
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