The place is well guarded with men and great big dogs. We heerd 'em
bark, didn't us, Will?"
"Ay," said Drake, dejectedly.
"The man as kept the lodge was short, but civil. Says he, 'This is a
place nobody comes in but by law, and nobody goes out but by law. If
the gentleman is here you may go home and sleep; he is safe enough.'"
"A prison? No!"
"A 'sylum, my lady."
CHAPTER XXI.
THE lady put her hand to her heart, and was silent a long time.
At last she said, doggedly but faintly, "You will go with me to that
place to-morrow, one of you."
"I'll go, my lady," said Moss. "Will, here, had better not show his
face. They might take the law on him for that there shot."
Drake hung his head, and his ardor was evidently cooled by discovering
that Sir Charles had been taken to a mad-house.
Lady Bassett saw and sighed, and said she would take Moss to show her
the way.
At eleven o'clock next morning a light carriage and pair came round to
the Hall gate, and a large basket, a portmanteau, and a bag were placed
on the roof under care of Moss; smaller packages were put inside; and
Lady Bassett and her maid got in, both dressed in black.
They reached Bellevue House at half-past two. The lodge-gate was open,
to Lady Bassett's surprise, and they drove through some pleasant
grounds to a large white house.
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