This is what had happened: Sir CHARLES had received the letters; they left no doubt in his mind that the wife he adored was betraying him, and he, too, resolved on revenge. He sent for his wife. When she came in, he at once confronted her with her letters, and taxed her with her guilt. A terrible scene of tears, entreaties, and bitter reproaches ensued, but Sir CHARLES was as adamant, and his wife retired to her bedroom in a state of nervous prostration, which immediately brought on a toothache. At this point she sent for her maid, and gave her the message to CASANUOVA. The Coroner was sympathetic, and did what he could, but the evidence in favour of the suicide theory seemed overwhelming, and the jury returned a verdict to this effect, with a rider strongly commenting on the danger of selling such deadly poisons. But it was never explained how Lady CALLENDER obtained the prussic acid, nor why she had selected that particular moment for its use. I ought to add, that CASANUOVA left England before the inquest, and has never returned. On the mystery of the final catastrophe the manuscript throws no light. It ends abruptly. But the whole tone of it leads me to believe, that in some unexplained manner Sir CHARLES himself had been instrumental in causing his wife's death. But you, no doubt, know, and could tell us if you wished. So there, my friend, you have the story. Sorry I couldn't make it more cheerful. Do you remember the part you played in it? Yours, &c., DIOGENES ROBINSON. * * * * * [Illustration: EXTRACT FROM THE CATALOGUE OF A RECENT SALE. "A PAIR OF OLD-FASHIONED SNUFFERS. VERY RARE."] * * * * * THE COMING OF NINETY-TWO. (_WITH HUMBLE APOLOGIES, AND HEARTY NEW-YEAR GREETINGS, TO THE ILLUSTRIOUS AUTHOR OF "THE COMING OF ARTHUR."_)