’He parted from me at the steps of my porch, and went back towards the rectory.  Whilst I still stood at the door, musing on my strange deliverance, I saw a figure advance from beneath the shadow of the park trees.  It was the figure of a woman.

’When she came near, the twilight was sufficient to show me her attire:  it was a cloak reaching to the bottom of her dress, and a thick veil covering her face.  These features, together with her size and gait, aided also by a flash of perception as to the chain of events which had saved her life, told me that she was my wife Eunice.

’I gnashed my teeth in a frenzy of despair; I had lost Cytherea; I had gained one whose beauty had departed, whose utterance was complaint, whose mind was shallow, and who drank brandy every day.  The revulsion of feeling was terrible.  Providence, whom I had just thanked, seemed a mocking tormentor laughing at me.  I felt like a madman.

’She came close—­started at seeing me outside—­then spoke to me.  Her first words were reproof for what I had unintentionally done, and sounded as an earnest of what I was to be cursed with as long as we both lived.  I answered angrily; this tone of mine changed her complaints to irritation.  She taunted me with a secret she had discovered, which concerned Miss Aldclyffe and myself.  I was surprised to learn it—­more surprised that she knew it, but concealed my feeling.

’"How could you serve me so?” she said, her breath smelling of spirits even then.  “You love another woman—­yes, you do.  See how you drive me about!  I have been to the station, intending to leave you for ever, and yet I come to try you once more.”

’An indescribable exasperation had sprung up in me as she talked —­rage and regret were all in all.  Scarcely knowing what I did, I furiously raised my hand and swung it round with my whole force to strike her.  She turned quickly—­and it was the poor creature’s end.  By her movement my hand came edgewise exactly in the nape of the neck—­as men strike a hare to kill it.  The effect staggered me with amazement.  The blow must have disturbed the vertebrae; she fell at my feet, made a few movements, and uttered one low sound.

’I ran indoors for water and some wine, I came out and lanced her arm with my penknife.  But she lay still, and I found that she was dead.

’It was a long time before I could realize my horrible position.  For several minutes I had no idea of attempting to escape the consequences of my deed.  Then a light broke upon me.  Had anybody seen her since she left the Three Tranters?  Had they not, she was already believed by the parishioners to be dust and ashes.  I should never be found out.

’Upon this I acted.

’The first question was how to dispose of the body.  The impulse of the moment was to bury her at once in the pit between the engine-house and waterfall; but it struck me that I should not have time.  It was now four o’clock, and the working-men would soon be stirring about the place.  I would put off burying her till the next night.  I carried her indoors.