The Herons were not very much surprised at Ida's flight, but though
John and his wife and daughter were anything but sorry to get rid of
her, they were rather uncomfortable, and Joseph, who was in the
doldrums after his drinking-fit, did not make them more comfortable by
assuring them that he was perfectly certain she had committed suicide.

He and his father set out to look for her, but, as Ida had left no clue
behind, they could find no trace of her, though they procured the
assistance of Scotland Yard, and inserted guarded advertisements in the
newspapers. John Heron comforted himself with the reflection that she
could have come to no harm or they would have heard of it; and at last
it occurred to him, when nearly a fortnight had elapsed, that she might
have returned to Herondale, probably to the care of Mr. Wordley, and
that he had been too indignant to acquaint the Herons with the fact.

"I think I had better run down to Herondale, Maria, and ascertain if
the erring and desperate girl has returned there," he said, one morning
after prayers. "Seeing that she left my roof in so unseemly a fashion,
with no word of regret or repentance, I do not consider that she has
any further claim upon me; but I have a tender heart, and on this
occasion I will be generous before I am just."