w, sent
you your invitation to the party, and made the appointment which took
you to the door in the lane. Wait a little, sir; I have not done yet.
The person has put it into Mr. Restall's head to send his daughter
abroad tomorrow."

Cosway attempted to make her speak more plainly.

"Is this wretch a man or a woman?" he said.

Miss Benshaw proceeded without noticing the interruption.

"You needn't be afraid, Mr. Cosway; Miss Restall will not leave England.
Your enemy is all-powerful. Your enemy's object could only be to provoke
you into planning an elopement--and, your arrangements once completed,
to inform Mr. Restall, and to part you and Miss Adela quite as
effectually as if you were at opposite ends of the world. Oh, you will
undoubtedly be parted! Spiteful, isn't it? And, what is worse, the
mischief is as good as done already."

Cosway rose from his chair.

"Do you wish for any further explanation?" asked Miss Benshaw.

"One thing more," he replied. "Does Adela know of this?"

"No," said Miss Benshaw; "it is left to you to tell her."

There was a moment of silence. Cosway looked at the lamp. Once roused,
as usual with men of his character, his temper was not to be trifled
with.

"Miss Benshaw," he said, "I dare say you think me a fool; but I can draw
my own conclusion, for all that. _You_ are my enemy."

The only reply was a chuckling laugh. All voices can be more or less
effectually disguised by a whisper but a laugh carries the revelation of
its own identity with it. Cosway suddenly threw off the shade over the
lamp and turned up the wick.

The light flooded the room, and showed him--His Wife.

_The Third Epoch in Mr. Cosway's Life._

Three days had passed. Cosway sat alone in his lodging--pale and worn:
the shadow already of his former self.

He had not seen Adela since the discovery. There was but one way in
which he could venture to make the inevitable disclosure--he wrote to
her; and Mr. Atherton's daughter took care that the letter should be
received. Inquiries made afterward, by help of the same good friend,
informed him that Miss Restall was suffering from illness.

The mistress of the house came in.

"Cheer up, sir," said the good woman. "There is better news of Miss
Restall to-day."

He raised his head.

"Don't trifle with me!" he answered fretfully; "tell me exactly what the
servant said."

The mistress repeated the words. Miss Restall had passed a quieter
night, and had been