’But for that stratagem of Manston’s in relation to the Springroves,’ Owen thought, ’Cythie might now have been the happy wife of Edward.  True, that he influenced Miss Aldclyffe only rests on Edward’s suspicions, but the grounds are good—­the probability is strong.’

He went indoors and questioned Cytherea.

’On the night of the fire, who first said that Mrs. Manston was burnt?’ he asked.

‘I don’t know who started the report.’

‘Was it Manston?’

’It was certainly not he.  All doubt on the subject was removed before he came to the spot—­that I am certain of.  Everybody knew that she did not escape after the house was on fire, and thus all overlooked the fact that she might have left before—­of course that would have seemed such an improbable thing for anybody to do.’

’Yes, until the porter’s story of her irritation and doubt as to her course made it natural.’

‘What settled the matter at the inquest,’ said Cytherea, ’was Mr. Manston’s evidence that the watch was his wife’s.’

‘He was sure of that, wasn’t he?’

‘I believe he said he was certain of it.’

’It might have been hers—­left behind in her perturbation, as they say it was—­impossible as that seems at first sight.  Yes—­on the whole, he might have believed in her death.’

’I know by several proofs that then, and at least for some time after, he had no other thought than that she was dead.  I now think that before the porter’s confession he knew something about her —­though not that she lived.’

‘Why do you?’

’From what he said to me on the evening of the wedding-day, when I had fastened myself in the room at the hotel, after Edward’s visit.  He must have suspected that I knew something, for he was irritated, and in a passion of uneasy doubt.  He said, “You don’t suppose my first wife is come to light again, madam, surely?” Directly he had let the remark slip out, he seemed anxious to withdraw it.’

‘That’s odd,’ said Owen.

‘I thought it very odd.’

’Still we must remember he might only have hit upon the thought by accident, in doubt as to your motive.  Yes, the great point to discover remains the same as ever—­did he doubt his first impression of her death before he married you.  I can’t help thinking he did, although he was so astounded at our news that night.  Edward swears he did.’

‘It was perhaps only a short time before,’ said Cytherea; ’when he could hardly recede from having me.

’Seasoning justice with mercy as usual, Cytherea.  ’Tis unfair to yourself to talk like that.  If I could only bring him to ruin as a bigamist—­supposing him to be one—­I should die happy.  That’s what we must find out by fair means or foul—­was he a wilful bigamist?’

’It is no use trying, Owen.  You would have to employ a solicitor, and how can you do that?’