Blind Love

Iris entered the farm-house; leaving Fanny Mere, after what the doctor

had said on the subject of visitors, to wait for her in the carriage.

After an absence of barely ten minutes Miss Henley returned; personally

changed, not at all to her own advantage, by the introduction of a

novelty in her dress. She had gone into the farmhouse, wearing a

handsome mantle of sealskin. When she came out again, the mantle had

vanished, and there appeared in its place a common cloak of

drab-coloured cloth. Noticing the expression of blank amazement in the

maid's face, Iris burst out laughing.

"How do you think I look in my new cloak?" she asked.

Fanny saw nothing to laugh at in the sacrifice of a sealskin mantle. "I

must not presume, Miss, to give an opinion," she said gravely.

"At any rate," Iris continued, "you must be more than mortal if my

change of costume doesn't excite your curiosity. I found Rhoda Bennet

in the garden, exposed to the cold wind in this ugly flimsy thing.

After what the doctor had told me, it was high time to assert my

authority. I insisted on changing cloaks with Rhoda. She made an

attempt, poor dear, to resist; but she knows me of old--and I had my

way. I am sorry you have been prevented from seeing her; you shall not

miss the opportunity when she is well again. Do you admire a fine view?

Very well; we will vary the drive on our return. Go back," she said to

the coachman, "by Highgate and Hampstead."

Fanny's eyes rested on the shabby cloak with a well-founded distrust of

it as a protection against the autumn weather. She ventured to suggest

that her mistress might feel the loss (in an open carriage) of the warm

mantle which she had left on Rhoda's shoulders.

Iris made light of the doubt expressed by her maid. But by the time

they had passed Highgate, and had approached the beginning of the

straight road which crosses the high ridge of Hampstead Heath, she was

obliged to acknowledge that she did indeed feel the cold. "You ought to

be a good walker," she said, looking at her maid's firm well-knit

figure. "Exercise is all I want to warm me. What do you say to going

home on foot?" Fanny was ready and willing to accompany her mistress.

The carriage was dismissed, and they set forth on their walk.

As they passed the inn called "The Spaniards," two women who were

standing at the garden gate stared at Iris, and smiled. A few paces

further on, they were met by an errand-boy. He too looked at the young

lady, and put his hand derisively to his head, with a shrill whistle

expressive of malicious enjoyment. "I appear to amuse these people,"

Iris said. "What do they see in me?"