"Ah!" she cried, "what answer, indeed. Was there ever woman before who knew not her husband, or who suffered as I am suffering?" "Your case is absolutely unique," I said. "Have you not endeavoured to solve the problem? Surely, from the official record of the marriage, it is possible to obtain your husband's name? You have a wedding-ring, I suppose?" I said, my thoughts running back to that fateful moment when I had placed the golden bond of matrimony upon her hand. "Yes," she answered, and, placing her hand within her bodice, drew forth the ring suspended by a narrow blue ribbon; "it is here." I took it in my hand with a feeling of curiosity. How strange it was! That was the very ring which I had placed upon her finger when in desperation I had sold myself to the Tempter. "Have you no idea whatever of the circumstances of your marriage? Do you know nothing?" "Absolutely nothing--save that I am actually married." "The identity of the man who placed this ring upon your hand is an enigma?" "Yes. I found it upon my finger; that is all that I am aware of. I changed my name, yet I am ignorant of what my new name really is." A sound of wheels approaching up the drive greeted our ears, but I still held the ring in the hollow of my hand. "Shall I tell you the true name of your husband?" I said earnestly, looking straight into those deep, clear eyes. "What?" she cried, starting in quick surprise; "you know it? Surely, that is impossible!" "Yes," I said in a low voice; "I know it." At that instant the ralli-car, which had evidently been to Corsham Station, dashed past us towards the house, interrupting our conversation and causing us both to raise our heads. At the side of Barton, the coachman, there sat a stranger, who, as he passed, turned his head aside to glance at us. Our eyes met. In an instant I recognised him. It was none other than the man for whom I had been in active search through all these weeks--the Tempter! CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN. THE TEMPTER. The small-eyed man, to whom I had sold myself that fateful day, caught sight of Beryl, and, raising his grey felt hat in recognition, pulled up, and swung himself down from the trap. I glanced at my love and saw that her face was blanched to the lips. The meeting was, to her, evidently a most unexpected one. Beneath the seat I saw a well-worn kit-bag, and a gun-case, which showed that he had come on a visit. Smartly dressed in light grey, he wore a button-hole of pink carnations, which gave him an air of gaiety and irresponsibility scarcely in keeping with his age. "Ah, my dear Miss Wynd!" he cried, advancing to her with outstretched hand. "I'm so delighted to find you here. It is a long time since we met." "Yes," she answered in a voice which trembled with suppressed excitement. "But I had no idea that you were coming down," she added. "Nora told me nothing."