"My friend would never have left Lacville without telling me." The commissionaire went on: "But I have brought back a motor-cab as Madame directed me to do." She paid him, and went downstairs hurriedly.

What an extraordinary mistake! It was out of the question that Anna should have left Lacville without telling her; but as the motor was there she might as well drive to the Pension Malfait and find out the meaning of the curt message, and also why her own letter to Anna had been opened.
If Anna had gone into Paris for the day, the only thing to do was to go for a drive alone.

The prospect was not exhilarating, but it would be better than staying indoors, or even in the garden by herself, all afternoon.
Sylvia felt rather troubled and uncomfortable as she got into the open motor.

Somehow she had counted on seeing Anna to-day.

She remembered her friend's last words to her.