Mrs. Craik

The Head of the Family

1852. Bernhard Tauchnitz, 1858. 2 vols.

He set out on a ramble through the frosty, moonlit streets, whither he hardly knew, until he found himself inquiring of a beneficent policeman the way to the Regent's Park. It was close at hand; the quiet esplanade glittering in the moonlight - a pretty place is the Regent's Park, at night - ay, even the Cockney Coliseum, and the long terrace-range, where, on still summer nights, one can hear one's feet echo, and scent hawthorn and lilac-trees at every step. Even Ninian thought it not so bad, and, with an almost childish fancy, paused to wonder whose little feet might possibly have touched the pavement where his now followed, perhaps at only a few hours interval.

Recently arrived in London after several years' absence, Ninian is eager to see again his youthful beloved, and 'thought he would walk on and see the house where the Ansteds lived; it would prevent his losing time over that search in the morning. He asked for Chester-terrace, feeling it strange to speak the address he had written so often...He came to the house, and hesitatingly glanced up, as if he expected to see her shadow on the blind. There was no shadow, for there was no light within. In the closed window was a staring printed board - This House to Let'. From the caretaker he learns that the family had departed suddenly, owing money to various tradesmen and leaving no clue as to their whereabouts.