Left alone with the thoughts that now crowded on her mind, Iris found
her attention claimed once more by passing events. Fanny Mere arrived,
to report herself on her return from Paris.
She had so managed her departure from Passy as to precede Lord Harry
and Mr. Vimpany, and to watch for their arrival in Paris by a later
train. They had driven from the railway to the newspaper office---with
the maid in attendance on them in another cab. When they separated, the
doctor proceeded on foot to the Luxembourg Gardens. Wearing a plain
black dress, and protected from close observation by her veil, Fanny
followed him, cautiously keeping at a sufficient distance, now on one
side of the street and now on the other. When my lord joined his
friend, she just held them in view, and no more, as they walked up and
down in the barest and loneliest part of the Gardens that they could
find. Their talk having come to an end, they parted. Her master was the
first who came out into the street; walking at a great rate, and
looking most desperately upset. Mr. Vimpany next appeared, sauntering
along with his hands in his pockets, grinning as if his own villainous
thoughts were thoroughly amusing him. Fanny was now more careful than
ever not to lose sight of the doctor. The course which he pursued led
them to the famous hospital called the Hotel Dieu.
At the entrance she saw him take a letter out of his pocket, and give
it to the porter. Soon afterwards, a person appeared who greeted him
politely, and conducted him into the building. For more than an hour,
Fanny waited to see Mr. Vimpany come out again, and waited in vain.
What could he possibly want in a French hospital? And why had he
remained in that foreign institution for so long a time? Baffled by
these mysteries, and weary after much walking, Fanny made the best of
her way home, and consulted her mistress.
Even if Iris had been capable of enlightening her, the opportunity was
wanting. Lord Harry entered the room, with the letter which he had just
written, open in his hand, As a matter of course, the maid retired.