Final answer:
The fate of Lady Ducayne's previous companions is not explicitly detailed in the provided text excerpts. The passages do contain themes of secrecy and departure, which might be indirectly related to Lady Ducayne's two previous companions referenced in the multiple-choice question.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lady Ducayne's two previous companions suffered mysterious fates that led to their departures from her employ, as implied by the extracts.
While the given texts do not explicitly mention Lady Ducayne or provide a direct answer to the student's multiple-choice question, they generally depict characters feeling a sense of unease, being bound by obligations and dealings, and experiencing changes in their lives, which could hint at the underlying themes of dependence and disruption similar to the situation of Lady Ducayne's companions.
The closest association to the answers provided in the question can be drawn from the general mood and actions of characters in the passages who show signs of secret dealings and unexpected departures. However, the actual answer to the query regarding the fate of Lady Ducayne's previous companions is not directly addressed in the excerpts provided.