Mr.Redmain is one to believe the worst things of the best people." "I am obliged to you," said Mary, "but I am not anxious." "It is necessary you should know also," continued Sepia, "that there is some suspicion attaching to a female friend of yours as well, a young woman who used to visit you--the wife of the other, it is supposed.

She was here, I remember, one night there was a party; I saw you together in my cousin's bedroom.

She had just dressed and gone down." "I remember," said Mary.

"It was Mrs.Helmer." "Well ?" "It is very unfortunate, certainly; but the truth must be told: a few days before you left, one of the servants, hearing some one in the house in the middle of the night, got up and went down, but only in time to hear the front door open and shut.

In the morning a hat was found in the drawing-room, with the name _Thomas Helmer_ in it: that is the name of your friend's husband, I believe ?" "I am aware Mr.Helmer was a frequent visitor," said Mary, trying to keep cool for what was to come.
This that Sepia told her was true enough, though she was not accurate as to the time of its occurrence.