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. I will relate briefly
how it came about.
Upon a certain evening, a few days before Mary's return from
Cornwall, Tom would have gone to see Miss Yolland had he not
known that she meant to go to the play with a Mr. Emmet, a cousin
of the Redmains. Before the hour arrived, however, Count Galofta
called, and Sepia went out with him, telling the man who opened
the door to ask Mr. Emmet to wait. The man was rather deaf, and
did not catch with certainty the name she gave. Mr. Emmet did not
appear, and it was late before Sepia returned.
Tom, jealous even to hatred, spent the greater part of his
evening in a tavern on the borders of the city--in gloomy
solitude, drinking brandy-and-water, and building castles of the
most foolish type--for castles are as different as the men that
build them. Through all the rooms of them glided the form of
Sepia, his evil genius. He grew more and more excited as he
built, and as he drank. He rose at last, paid his bill, and, a
little suspicious of his equilibrium, stalked into the street.
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