'Don't you know? Some one is so very proper, and such a fine lady, I
shouldn't have thought she'd have done things without your knowing.'
He turned pale, and seemed to crush the floor with his foot, that he
might stand firm.
'You're talking of Adela?'
Alice nodded.
'What about her? Say at once what you've got to say.'
Inwardly she was a little frightened, perhaps half wished that she
had not begun. Yet it was sweet to foresee the thunderbolt that
would fall on her enemy's head. That her brother would suffer
torments did not affect her imagination; she had never credited him
with strong feeling for his wife; and it was too late to draw back.
'You know that she met Mr. Eldon in the wood at Wanley on the day
after she found the will?'
Mutimer knitted his brows to regard her. But in speaking he was more
self-governed than before.
'Who told you that?'
'My husband. He saw them together.'
'And heard them talking?'
'Yes.'
Rodman had only implied this. Alice's subsequent interrogation had
failed to elicit more from him than dark hints.
Mutimer drew a quick breath.
'He must be good at spying. Next time I hope he'll find out
something worth talking about.'
Alice was surprised.
'You know about it?'
'Just as much as Rodman, do you understand that?'
'You don't believe?'
She herself had doubts.
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