He went downstairs, put on his overcoat, and left the house, the three persons most concerned entering the room, and standing motionless, awkward, and silent in the midst of it.  Cytherea pictured to herself the long weary minutes she would have to stand there, whilst a sleepy man could be prepared for consultation, till the constraint between them seemed unendurable to her—­she could never last out the time.  Owen was annoyed that Manston had not quietly arranged with him at once; Manston at Owen’s homeliness of idea in proposing to send for an attorney, as if he would be a touchstone of infallible proof.

Reflection was cut short by the approach of footsteps, and in a few moments the proprietor of the hotel entered, introducing his friend.  ‘Mr. Timms has not been in bed,’ he said; ’he had just returned from dining with a few friends, so there’s no trouble given.  To save time I explained the matter as we came along.’

It occurred to Owen and Manston both that they might get a misty exposition of the law from Mr. Timms at that moment of concluding dinner with a few friends.

‘As far as I can see,’ said the lawyer, yawning, and turning his vision inward by main force, ’it is quite a matter for private arrangement between the parties, whoever the parties are—­at least at present.  I speak more as a father than as a lawyer, it is true, but, let the young lady stay with her father, or guardian, safe out of shame’s way, until the mystery is sifted, whatever the mystery is.  Should the evidence prove to be false, or trumped up by anybody to get her away from you, her husband, you may sue them for the damages accruing from the delay.’

‘Yes, yes,’ said Manston, who had completely recovered his self-possession and common-sense; ‘let it all be settled by herself.’  Turning to Cytherea he whispered so softly that Owen did not hear the words—­

’Do you wish to go back with your brother, dearest, and leave me here miserable, and lonely, or will you stay with me, your own husband.’

‘I’ll go back with Owen.’

‘Very well.’  He relinquished his coaxing tone, and went on sternly:  ’And remember this, Cytherea, I am as innocent of deception in this thing as you are yourself.  Do you believe me?’

‘I do,’ she said.

’I had no shadow of suspicion that my first wife lived.  I don’t think she does even now.  Do you believe me?’

‘I believe you,’ she said.

‘And now, good-evening,’ he continued, opening the door and politely intimating to the three men standing by that there was no further necessity for their remaining in his room.  ’In three days I shall claim her.’

The lawyer and the hotel-keeper retired first.  Owen, gathering up as much of his sister’s clothing as lay about the room, took her upon his arm, and followed them.  Edward, to whom she owed everything, who had been left standing in the street like a dog without a home, was utterly forgotten.  Owen paid the landlord and the lawyer for the trouble he had occasioned them, looked to the packing, and went to the door.