But the mention of the name had been a wound; and when an anonymous letter a few days afterwards reached Hester herself he was really unhappy.

Hester made nothing of the letter--did not even show it to her mother.

At that time a day had been fixed for their marriage; and she already regarded her lover as nearer to her than either father or mother.

The letter purported to be from some one who had travelled with her lover and this woman on board ship, and declared that everybody on board the ship had thought that Caldigate meant to marry the woman,--who then, so said the letter, called herself Mrs.
Smith.

Hester showed the letter to Caldigate, and then Caldigate told his story.