If there had been a plot, such plot assuredly included the discoverer of the document.

Could he in his heart charge Adela with that?
There were two voices at his ear, and of equal persuasiveness.

Even to look into her face did not silence the calumnious whispering.

Her beauty was fuel to his jealousy, and his jealousy alone made the supposition of her guilt for a moment tenable.

It was on his lips to accuse her, to ease himself with savage innuendoes, those 'easy things to understand' which come naturally from such a man in such a situation.