To take this letter and either open it herself or give it secretly to her brother?
But the servant might somehow make it known that such a letter had arrived.
'Anything for me, Alice ?' It was Adela's voice.

She had approached unheard; Alice was so intent upon her thoughts.
'Yes, one letter.' There was no help for it.

Alice glanced at her sister-in-law, and strolled away again into the garden.
Adela examined the envelope.

She could not conjecture from whom the letter came; certainly from some illiterate person.

Was it for her husband?
Was not the 'Mrs.' a mistake for 'Mr.' or perhaps mere ill-writing that deceived the eye?
No, the prefix was so very distinct.
She opened the envelope where she stood.
'Mrs.Mutimer, I dare say you don't know me nor my name, but I write to you because I think it only right as you should know the truth about your husband, and because me and my sister can't go on any longer as we are.