There was no reply ; the room was dark and still . In sudden alarm , Isabella Spencer snatched the lamp from the hall table and held it up . The little white room was empty . No blushing , white-clad bride tenanted it . But David Spencer 's letter was lying on the stand . She caught it up and read it . `` Rachel is gone , '' she gasped . A flash of intuition had revealed to her where and why the girl had gone . `` Gone ! '' echoed Frank , his face blanching . His pallid dismay recalled Mrs. Spencer to herself . She gave a bitter , ugly little laugh . `` Oh , you need n't look so scared , Frank . She has n't run away from you . Hush ; come in here -- shut the door . Nobody must know of this . Nice gossip it would make ! That little fool has gone to the Cove to see her -- her father . I know she has . It 's just like what she would do .
He sent her those presents -- look -- and this XXXXX .
Cove blushing door father fool gossip letter reply room stand