Edith was silent. This was very unpleasant intelligence. Evidently this Leon Dudleigh and Wiggins were partners in this horrible matter.
“How does he happen to live here?” she asked at length, anxious to discover, if possible, his purpose.
Mrs. Dunbar again hesitated. Edith had to repeat her question, and even then her answer was given with evident reluctance.
“He says that you—I mean that he—is your—that is, that he is—is master,” said Mrs. Dunbar, in a hesitating and confused way.
“Master!” repeated Edith.
“He says that he is your—your—” Mrs. Dunbar hesitated and looked anxiously at Edith.
“Well, what does he say?” asked Edith, impatiently. “He says that he is my—what?”
“Your—your husband,” said Mrs. Dunbar, with a great effort.
At this Edith stared at her for a moment, and then covered her face with her hands, while a shudder passed through her. This plain statement of the case from one of her jailers made her situation seem worse than ever.
“He came here,” continued Mrs. Dunbar, in a low tone, “the day after your illness. He brought his horse and dog, and some—things.”