Blind Love

On her way back to the house, she became conscious of the rashness of

the act into which her own generous impulse had betrayed her.

If she and Lord Harry had met, could she have denied the tender

interest in him which her own conduct would then have revealed? Would

he not have been justified in concluding that she had pardoned the

errors and the vices of his life, and that he might without impropriety

remind her of their engagement, and claim her hand in marriage? She

trembled as she thought of the concessions which he might have wrung

from her. "Never more," she determined, "shall my own folly be

answerable for it, if he and I meet again."

She had returned to Mrs. Lewson, and had read over the letter to

Arthur, when the farm clock, striking the hour, reminded them that it

was time to retire. They slept badly that night.

At six in the morning, one of the two labourers who had remained

faithful to Arthur was sent away on horseback with the housekeeper's

reply, and with orders to wait for an answer. Allowing time for giving

the horse a rest, the man might be expected to return before noon.

XI

It was a fine sunshiny day; Mrs. Lewson's spirits began to improve. "I

have always held the belief," the worthy old woman confessed, "that

bright weather brings good luck--of course provided the day is not a

Friday. This is Wednesday. Cheer up, Miss."

The messenger returned with good news. Mr. Arthur had been as merry as

usual. He had made fun of another letter of good advice, received

without a signature. "But Mrs. Lewson must have her way," he said. "My

love to the old dear--I'll start two hours later, and be back to dinner

at five."

"Where did Mr. Arthur give you that message?" Iris inquired.

"At the stables, Miss, while I was putting up the horse. The men about

were all on the broad grin when they heard Mr. Arthur's message."

Still in a morbid state of mind, Iris silently regretted that the

message had not been written, instead of being delivered by word of

mouth. Here, again, she (like the wild lord) had been afraid of

listeners.

The hours wore slowly on until it was past four o'clock. Iris could

endure the suspense no longer. "It's a lovely afternoon," she said to

Mrs. Lewson. "Let us take a walk along the road, and meet Arthur." To

this proposal the housekeeper readily agreed.