Blind Love

Lord Harry wrote with scrupulous politeness of expression. He regretted

that circumstances had prevented him from calling on Mr. Mountjoy,

before he left England. After the conversation that had taken place at

Mr. Vimpany's house, he felt it his duty to inform Mr. Mountjoy that he

had insured his life--and, he would add, for a sum of money amply, and

more than amply, sufficient to provide for his wife in the event of her

surviving him. Lady Harry desired her kind regards, and would write

immediately to her old and valued friend. In the meantime, he would

conclude by repeating the expression of his sense of obligation to Mr.

Mountjoy.

Hugh looked back at the first page of the letter, in search of the

writer's address. It was simply, "Paris." The intention to prevent any

further correspondence, or any personal communication, could hardly

have been more plainly implied. In another moment, the letter was in

the fire.

In two days more, Hugh heard from Iris.

She, too, wrote regretfully of the sudden departure from England;

adding, however, that it was her own doing. A slip of the tongue, on

Lord Harry's part, in the course of conversation, had led her to fear

that he was still in danger from political conspirators with whom he

had imprudently connected himself. She had accordingly persuaded him to

tell her the whole truth, and had thereupon insisted on an immediate

departure for the Continent. She and her husband were now living in

Paris; Lord Harry having friends in that city whose influence might

prove to be of great importance to his pecuniary prospects. Some

sentences followed, expressing the writer's grateful remembrance of all

that she had owed to Hugh in past days, and her earnest desire that

they might still hear of each other, from time to time, by

correspondence. She could not venture to anticipate the pleasure of

receiving a visit from him, under present circumstances. But, she hoped

that he would not object to write to her, addressing his letters, for

the present, to post-restante.

In a postscript a few words were added, alluding to Mr. Vimpany. Hugh

was requested not to answer any inquiries which that bad man might

venture to make, relating to her husband or to herself. In the bygone

days, she had been thankful to the doctor for the care which he had

taken, medically speaking, of Rhoda Bonnet. But, since that time, his

behaviour to his wife, and the opinions which he had expressed in

familiar conversation with Lord Harry, had convinced her that he was an

unprincipled person. All further communication with him (if her

influence could prevent it) must come to an end.