“I don't know what to say to you!” he exclaimed. “I came to advise you, and to warn you. I have done every thing. There is one thing which would put an end to all this misery which you inflict on me, but that one thing I wish on no account to say just now. I can not just yet give up the hope that has cheered me for so long a time; still, I must warn you. Rash girl, you have already suffered from this Mowbray, as he calls himself. Do you not see that this new visitor, this so-called Dudleigh, is nothing else than the ally, the associate, the partner, the emissary of Mowbray?” “The associate of Mowbray,” said Edith, quietly, “is yourself. You sent him to me, I have no doubt. You have your own schemes. What they are I do not know, nor do I care to know. As for Lieutenant Dudleigh, he is, I feel sure, an honorable gentleman, and his associates are far, very far different from such as you and Mowbray. He is the friend of one whom I also regard now as my only friend--one whom I never cease to pray to reach--one whom I hope yet to find, and by his help escape from your infamous control, and punish you for all your villainy toward me and mine.” “What is this? What do you mean? A friend?” Wiggins uttered these words in a bewildered way. “The friend whom I hope to reach,” said Edith, “the one to whom I look for vengeance on you, is Sir Lionel Dudleigh.” “Sir Lionel Dudleigh!” repeated Wiggins, with a groan. “You!” “Yes, Sir Lionel Dudleigh!” said Edith. “I see that you are agitated at the mention of that name--the name of an honorable man--a man of stainless name, who has nothing in common with such as you. Let me tell you that the time will yet come when you shall have to meet Sir Lionel Dudleigh face to face, and then you will have reason to tremble!” At this Wiggins rose. He did not look at Edith. He did not say a word. He seemed overwhelmed. His head was bowed down on his breast; his eyes were fixed on the floor; and he walked with a slow and weary pace out of the room. “It was the threat of Sir Lionel Dudleigh,” thought Edith, “that terrified him. He knows that the time is coming when he will have to give an account; and he fears Sir Lionel Dudleigh more than any other living man.” * * * * * [Illustration: DEAR LITTLE DUDLEIGH] CHAPTER XXII. LITTLE DUDLEIGH.