The Woman in White

Chapter 11

The inquest was hurried for certain local reasons which weighed

with the coroner and the town authorities. It was held on the

afternoon of the next day. I was necessarily one among the

witnesses summoned to assist the objects of the investigation.

My first proceeding in the morning was to go to the post-office,

and inquire for the letter which I expected from Marian. No

change of circumstances, however extraordinary, could affect the

one great anxiety which weighed on my mind while I was away from

London. The morning's letter, which was the only assurance I

could receive that no misfortune had happened in my absence, was

still the absorbing interest with which my day began.

Nothing had happened--they were both as safe and as well as when I

had left them. Laura sent her love, an