“Certainly. Don’t let him imagine you are going to remain in this country; say you are going abroad to seek your fortune in a strange land, that’s the way to put it.” “He wont believe it.” “It doesn’t matter what he believes――only don’t give him an idea that it is any use his endeavouring to find you out.” “I wish you would dictate the letter.” “Very well. Are you ready?” “Yes.” “Then go on.” “DEAR JOHN,――I write these few lines to tell you that I find it impossible to remain under the same roof with one who has treated me with such unkindness and cruelty. My cup of sorrow is full to the brim. If I remain here I feel convinced that I shall meet with my death at your hands. For both our sakes it is therefore better that we should part. Never expect to see me again in this world. I leave England to-morrow; you will do much better without me. I do hope and trust that you will see the error of your ways and lead a better life.――Your miserable wife, “MARIA BRISTOW.” “That will do; won’t it?” said the girl. “Oh, dear, yes. My head is in such a whirl that I find it impossible to collect my thoughts. That will do very well, I think,” returned Mrs. Bristow. She folded up the letter, put it in an envelope, addressed it, and placed it on the shelf where her husband could not fail to see it. This done she felt greatly relieved. “Now let us away at once,” cried the girl. “Give me the bag.” “But where are we going to?” “To Stanningley. An aunt of mine lives there, a dear old soul. We can remain with her as long as we like, but there’s no occasion for us to stop unless we choose.” “How far is it?” “Oh, it must be over five miles, but we must have a fly.” “And the money?” “I’ve got enough for our immediate wants.” The girl had not spent the last sum Peace had sent her, in addition to which she had some of her own little savings. A fly was procured. As they were about to step into this, the gentleman they had met at the concert, at which Charles Peace appeared, now accosted them. “Well, ladies, whither away in this hurry?” said he, in a tone of surprise. Bessie put her companion into the fly, then she hurried towards her male friend. “Ah! Mr. Chipp,” she ejaculated, “how glad I am we have met with you! Something has occurred――something terrible,” as she nodded towards the passenger in the vehicle. She proceeded to give a rapid account of the assault upon Mrs. Bristow, and wound up by informing her friend that his wife had left him for good and for all. “It’s not to be wondered at,” said Mr. Chipp. “The only surprise to me is, and has always been, that she consented to live with the brute for so long a time.” “I want to see you, sir, about a little matter of business. Want your advice, but have not time to explain matters now.”