pointed with his finger to a line which ran thus:

"On the 24th inst., at Ventnor, Isle of Wight, Helen Talboys, aged 22."




CHAPTER V.

THE HEADSTONE AT VENTNOR.


Yes, there it was in black and white--"Helen Talboys, aged 22."

When George told the governess on board the _Argus_ that if he heard any
evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect
good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him,
and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked
face of his friend.

The suddenness of the blow had stunned him. In this strange and
bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why
it was that one line in the _Times_ newspaper could have so horrible an
effect upon him.

Then by degrees even this vague consciousness of his misfortune faded
slowly out of his mind, succeeded by a painful consciousness of external
things.

The hot August sunshine, the dusty window-panes and shabby-painted