"I must beg you to excuse the darkened room. I am suffering from a severe cold. My eyes are inflamed, and my throat is so bad that I can only speak in a whisper. Sit down, sir. I have got news for you .""Not bad news, I hope, ma'am?" Cosway ventured to inquire.
"The worst possible news," said the whispering voice. "You have an enemy striking at you in the dark."Cosway asked who it was, and received no answer. He varied the form of inquiry, and asked why the unnamed person struck at him in the dark. The experiment succeeded; he obtained a reply.
"It is reported to me," said Miss Benshaw, "that the person thinks it necessary to give you a lesson, and takes a spiteful pleasure in doing it as mischievously as possible. The person, as I happen to know, sent you your invitation to the party, and made the appointment which took you to the door in the lane. Wait a little, sir; I have not done yet. The person has put it into Mr. Restall's head to send his daughter abroad tomorrow.
Cosway attempted to make her speak more plainly.
"Is this wretch a man or a woman?" he said.
Miss Benshaw proceeded without noticing the interruption.