Say! do we understand
each other at last?"
"I have too sincere a respect for Lady Harry to answer you," Mountjoy
said. "At the same time, let me acknowledge my obligations to your
lordship. You have reminded me that I did a foolish thing when I called
here without an invitation. I agree with you that the sooner my mistake
is set right the better."
He replied in those words, and left the cottage.
On the way back to his hotel, Hugh thought of what Mrs. Vimpany had
said to him when they had last seen each other: "Don't forget that
there is an obstacle between you and Iris which will put even your
patience and your devotion to a hard trial." The obstacle of the
husband had set itself up, and had stopped him already.
His own act (a necessary act after the language that had been addressed
to him) had closed the doors of the cottage, and had put an end to
future meetings between Iris and himself. If they attempted to
communicate by letter, Lord Harry would have opportunities of
discovering their correspondence, of which his jealousy would certainly
avail itself. Through the wakeful night, Hugh's helpless situation was
perpetually in his thoughts. There seemed to be no present alternative
before him but resignation, and a return to England.
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