Blind Love

On his arrival in London, Mountjoy went to the Nurses' Institute to

inquire for Mrs. Vimpany.

She was again absent, in attendance on another patient. The address of

the house (known only to the matron) was, on this occasion, not to be

communicated to any friend who might make inquiries. A bad case of

scarlet fever had been placed under the nurse's care, and the danger of

contagion was too serious to be trifled with.

The events which had led to Mrs. Vimpany's present employment had not

occurred in the customary course.

A nurse who had recently joined the Institute had been first engaged to

undertake the case, at the express request of the suffering person--who

was said to be distantly related to the young woman. On the morning

when she was about to proceed to the scene of her labours, news had

reached her of the dangerous illness of her mother. Mrs. Vimpany, who

was free at the time, and who felt a friendly interest in her young

colleague, volunteered to take her place. Upon this, a strange request

had been addressed to the matron, on behalf of the sick man. He desired

to be "informed of it, if the new nurse was an Irishwoman." Hearing

that she was an Englishwoman, he at once accepted her services, being

himself (as an additional element of mystery in the matter) an

Irishman!

The matron's English prejudices at once assumed that there had been

some discreditable event in the man's life, which might be made a

subject of scandalous exposure if he was attended by one of his own

countrypeople. She advised Mrs. Vimpany to have nothing to do with the

afflicted stranger. The nurse answered that she had promised to attend

on him--and she kept her promise.

Mountjoy left the Institute, after vainly attempting to obtain Mrs.

Vimpany's address. The one concession which the matron offered to make

was to direct his letter, and send it to the post, if he would be

content with that form of communication.

On reflection, he decided to write the letter.

Prompt employment of time might be of importance, if it was possible to

prevent any further communication with Lord Larry on the part of his

Irish correspondent. Using the name with which Iris had provided him,

Hugh wrote to inquire if it was familiar to Mrs. Vimpany, as the name

of a person with whom she had been, at any time, acquainted. In this

event, he assured her that an immediate consultation between them was

absolutely necessary in the interests of Iris. He added, in a

postscript, that he was in perfect health, and that he had no fear of

infection--and sent his letter to the matron to be forwarded.