’I can’t at all—­I know that very well.  But neither do I altogether wish to at present—­a lawyer must have a case—­facts to go upon, that means.  Now they are scarce at present—­as scarce as money is with us, and till we have found more money there is no hurry for a lawyer.  Perhaps by the time we have the facts we shall have the money.  The only thing we lose in working alone in this way, is time—­not the issue:  for the fruit that one mind matures in a twelvemonth forms a more perfectly organized whole than that of twelve minds in one month, especially if the interests of the single one are vitally concerned, and those of the twelve are only hired.  But there is not only my mind available—­you are a shrewd woman, Cythie, and Edward is an earnest ally.  Then, if we really get a sure footing for a criminal prosecution, the Crown will take up the case.’

‘I don’t much care to press on in the matter,’ she murmured.  ’What good can it do us, Owen, after all?’

’Selfishly speaking, it will do this good—­that all the facts of your journey to Southampton will become known, and the scandal will die.  Besides, Manston will have to suffer—­it’s an act of justice to you and to other women, and to Edward Springrove.’

He now thought it necessary to tell her of the real nature of the Springroves’ obligation to Miss Aldclyffe—­and their nearly certain knowledge that Manston was the prime mover in effecting their embarrassment.  Her face flushed as she listened.

‘And now,’ he said, ’our first undertaking is to find out where Mrs. Manston lived during the separation; next, when the first communications passed between them after the fire.’

’If we only had Miss Aldclyffe’s countenance and assistance as I used to have them,’ Cytherea returned, ’how strong we should be!  O, what power is it that he exercises over her, swaying her just as he wishes!  She loves me now.  Mrs. Morris in her letter said that Miss Aldclyffe prayed for me—­yes, she heard her praying for me, and crying.  Miss Aldclyffe did not mind an old friend like Mrs. Morris knowing it, either.  Yet in opposition to this, notice her dead silence and inaction throughout this proceeding.’

‘It is a mystery; but never mind that now,’ said Owen impressively.  ’About where Mrs. Manston has been living.  We must get this part of it first—­learn the place of her stay in the early stage of their separation, during the period of Manston’s arrival here, and so on, for that was where she was first communicated with on the subject of coming to Knapwater, before the fire; and that address, too, was her point of departure when she came to her husband by stealth in the night—­you know—­the time I visited you in the evening and went home early in the morning, and it was found that he had been visited too.  Ah! couldn’t we inquire of Mrs. Leat, who keeps the post-office at Carriford, if she remembers where the letters to Mrs. Manston were directed?’