nct.
She opened the envelope where she stood.

'Mrs. Mutimer, I dare say you don't know me nor my name, but I write
to you because I think it only right as you should know the truth about
your husband, and because me and my sister can't go on any longer as
we are. My sister's name is Emma Vine. She was engaged to be married to
Richard M. two years before he knew you, and to the last he put her
off with make-believe and promises, though it was easy to see what was
meant. And when our sister Jane was on her very death-bed, which she
died not a week after he married you, and I know well as it was grief as
killed her. And now we haven't got enough to eat for Emma and me and
my two little children, for I am a widow myself. But that isn't all.
Because he found that his friends in Hoxton was crying shame on him, he
got it said as Emma had misbehaved herself, which was a cowardly lie,
and all to protect himself. And now Emma is that ill she can't work;
it's come upon her all at once, and what's going to happen God knows.
And his own mother cried shame on him, and wouldn't live no longer in
the big house in Highbury. He offered us money--I will say so much--but
Emma was too proud, and wouldn't hear of it. And then he went giving her
a bad name. What do you think of your husband now, Mrs. Mutimer? I don't
expect nothing, but it's only right you should know. Emma wouldn't take
anything, not if she was dying of starvation, but I've got my children
to think of. So that's all I have to say, and I'm glad I've said
it.--Yours truly, KATE CLAY.'

Adela remained standing for a few moments when she had finished the
letter, then went slowly to her room.

Alice returned from the garden in a short time. In passing through the
hall she looked again at the two letters which remained. Neither of them
had a sinister appearance; being addressed to the Manor they probably
came from personal friends. She went to the drawing-room and glanced
around for Adela, but the room was empty. Richard would not be home for
an hour yet; she took up a novel and tried to pass the time so, but she
had a difficulty in fixing her attention. In the end she once more left
the house, and, after a turn or two on the lawn, strolled out of the
gate.

She met her brother a hundred yards along the road. The sight of her
astonished him.

'What's up now, Princess?' he exclaimed. 'House on fire? Novels run
short?'

'Something that I expect you won't care to hear. Who d