The news which those lines contained⁠—news which I instantly associated with some attempted treachery on the part of Count Fosco⁠—fairly overwhelmed me. I stood breathless with the paper crumpled up in my hand. What had happened? What subtle wickedness had the Count planned and executed in my absence? A night had passed since Marian’s note was written⁠—hours must elapse still before I could get back to them⁠—some new disaster might have happened already of which I was ignorant. And here, miles and miles away from them, here I must remain⁠—held, doubly held, at the disposal of the law!