Blind Love

"You may depend upon my returning to London to-morrow," he said. "In

the meantime, is there no better way in which I can be of use to you?

If your influence fails, do you see any other chance of keeping Lord

Harry's desperate purpose under control?"

It had only that day occurred to Iris that there might be some prospect

of an encouraging result, if she could obtain the assistance of Mrs.

Vimpany.

The doctor's wife was well acquainted with Lord Harry's past life, when

he happened to be in Ireland; and she had met many of his countrymen

with whom he had associated. If one of those friends happened to be the

officious person who had written to him, it was at least possible that

Mrs. Vimpany's discreet interference might prevent his mischievous

correspondent from writing again. Lord Harry, waiting for more news,

would in this event wait in vain. He would not know where to go, or

what to do next--and, with such a nature as his, the end of his

patience and the end of his resolution were likely to come together.

Hugh handed his pocket-book to Iris. Of the poor chances in her favour,

the last was to his mind the least hopeless of the two.

"If you have discovered the name of your husband's correspondent," he

said, "write it down for me, and I will ask Mrs. Vimpany if she knows

him. I will make your excuses for not having written to her lately;

and, in any case, I answer for her being ready to help you."

As Iris thanked him and wrote the name, the clock on the chimneypiece

struck the hour.

She rose to say farewell. With a restless hand she half-lowered her

veil, and raised it again. "You won't mind my crying," she said

faintly, trying to smile through her tears. "This is the saddest

parting I have ever known. Dear, dear Hugh--good-bye!"

Great is the law of Duty; but the elder law of Love claims its higher

right. Never, in all the years of their friendship, had they forgotten

themselves as they forgot themselves now. For the first time her lips

met his lips, in their farewell kiss. In a moment more, they remembered

the restraints which honour imposed on them; they were only friends

again. Silently she lowered her veil. Silently he took her arm and led

her down to the carriage. It was moving away from them at a slow pace,

towards the other end of the street. Instead of waiting for its return,

they followed and overtook it.