Now that he was alone, his manner became anxious, and his face looked grave.

He entered the room.
Not a sign of Anne Silvester was to be seen any where.

The library was a perfect solitude.
"Gone!" said Sir Patrick.

"This looks bad." After a moment's reflection he went back into the hall to get his hat.
It was possible that she might have been afraid of discovery if she staid in the library, and that she might have gone on to the summer-house by herself.
If she was not to be found in the summer-house, the quieting of Blanche's mind and the clearing up of her uncle's suspicions alike depended on discovering the place in which Miss Silvester had taken refuge.

In this case time would be of importance, and the capacity of making the most of it would be a precious capacity at starting.