Richard added that the letter was, no doubt, one of several sent over by Monmouth to some friend at Lyme for distribution among his principal agents in the West.

It was regrettable that they should have endeavoured to take gentle measures with the courier, as this had forewarned him, and he had apparently been led to remove the letter's outer wrapper--which, no doubt, bore Wilding's full name and address--against the chance of such an attack as they had made upon him.
Nevertheless, as it was, that letter "to my good friend W.," backed by Richard's and Blake's evidence of the destination intended for it, would be more than enough to lay Mr.Wilding safely by the heels.
"I would to Heaven," he repeated in conclusion, "I could have come in time to save you from becoming his wife.

But at least it is in my power to make you very speedily his widow." "That," said Ruth, still retaining the letter, "is what you propose to do ?" "What else ?" She shook her head.

"It must not be, Richard," she said.

"I'll not consent to it." Taken aback, he stared at her; then laughed unpleasantly.