Cholmondeley rushed to the door:—Adeline followed him into the passage, bearing a candle in her hand.
The reader may conceive the relief which she experienced, when, upon casting a rapid glance up and down, she found that her torturess was not there either to expose her completely, or to triumph over her alarms.
"Farewell," whispered Cholmondeley; and he disappeared down the staircase.
Adeline remained at the top, until she heard the private door at the bottom carefully open and as gently close.
Then she breathed more freely, and re-entered her own chamber.
"What could Lydia mean by this perfidious plot?" she murmured to herself, as she sank upon the sofa, exhausted both mentally and bodily. "She was not there to enjoy my confusion; she did not come with the servants to behold what might have been considered the evidence of infidelity towards my husband:—what, then, could she mean?"
Scarcely had these words passed Adeline's lips, when the door opened, and her torturess entered the room.
CHAPTER CCXVI.
THE PROGRESS OF LYDIA HUTCHINSON'S VENGEANCE.
"What means this new device, terrible woman?" cried Adeline, advancing towards Lydia Hutchinson, and giving vent to the question which was uppermost in her mind.
"Ah! you have already detected my handiwork in the new source of torment which is now open against you?" said Lydia, with a smile of triumphant contempt.