Blind Love

"Who is she?"

"You would expect a ruffian like Lord Harry to marry a woman like

himself. Not at all. He married a most charming creature named

Henley--Iris Henley--father very well known in the City. I heard of it

at the time. She would have him---infatuated about him--sad business.

Mr. Chairman, I submit that it is quite impossible for us to take

proceedings against this unfortunate lady, who is doing her utmost to

make restitution."

"The Company must not compound a felony," the Chairman repeated.

"Even if we do not get back that two thousand pounds," said the

Secretary, "the Company will lose nothing. The surrender value must be

considered."

Then another of the Directors spoke. "We do not know where this lady is

to be found. She is probably passing under another name. It is not our

business to hunt her down."

"And if we found her we should have to prove the case, and her guilty

knowledge of the conspiracy," said another. "How would this precious

letter be taken as evidence? Why, we do not even know that it is true.

We might exhume the body: what would that prove after three months? We

might open up the case, and spend a heap of money, and create a great

scandal, and be none the better for it afterwards. My advice is, let

the thing drop."

"Well, but," objected another, "suppose we admit that the man is still

living. He may die, and then there would be another claim upon us."

"Of that," said the Chairman, "I think there need be no apprehension

whatever. You have heard his letter. But, I repeat, we must not

compound a felony!"

"I submit, Mr. Chairman," said one who had not spoken--and he was a

barrister--"that the Company knows nothing at all about Lady Harry

Norland. We have had to deal with the firm of Erskine, Mansfield,

Denham & Co., of Lincoln's Inn Fields: and a most respectable firm too.

On their representations we paid the money. If it can be ascertained

that we have been defrauded we must look to them. If we have to

prosecute anybody it must be that respectable firm."

"Good," said the Chairman.

"I propose, therefore, that the Secretary write to Lord Harry Norland,

informing him that the Company have had nothing at all to do with his

wife, and do not recognise her action in any way. We shall then see

what happens, and can proceed in accordance."