“I would have avoided mentioning it in your presence,” said Lightwood to Bella, delicately; “but since your husband mentions it himself, I must confirm his strange admission. I saw him as Mr. Julius Handford, and I afterwards (unquestionably to his knowledge) took great pains to trace him out.”
“Quite true. But it was not my object or my interest,” said Rokesmith, quietly, “to be traced out.”
Bella looked from the one to the other, in amazement.
“ Mr. Lightwood,” pursued her husband, “as chance has brought us face to face at last—which is not to be wondered at, for the wonder is, that, in spite of all my pains to the contrary, chance has not confronted us together sooner—I have only to remind you that you have been at my house, and to add that I have not changed my residence.”
“Sir,” returned Lightwood, with a meaning glance towards Bella, “my position is a truly painful one. I hope that no complicity in a very dark transaction may attach to you, but you cannot fail to know that your own extraordinary conduct has laid you under suspicion.”
“I know it has,” was all the reply.
“My professional duty,” said Lightwood hesitating, with another glance towards Bella, “is greatly at variance with my personal inclination; but I doubt, Mr. Handford, or Mr. Rokesmith, whether I am justified in taking leave of you here, with your whole course unexplained.”
Bella caught her husband by the hand.
“Don’t be alarmed, my darling. Mr. Lightwood will find that he is quite justified in taking leave of me here. At all events,” added Rokesmith, “he will find that I mean to take leave of him here.”