Mrs. Vimpany had but one excuse to
offer. Fanny's letter had filled her with such unendurable doubts and
forebodings that she had taken the one way of inducing Lady Harry to
secure her own safety by at once leaving Passy--the way by a false
alarm. Deceit, so sincerely repented, so resolutely resisted, had tried
its power of temptation again, and had prevailed.
"When I thought of you at the mercy of my vile husband," Mrs. Vimpany
said, "with your husband but too surely gained as an accomplice, my
good resolutions failed me. Is it only in books that a true repentance
never stumbles again? Or am I the one fallible mortal creature in the
world? I am ashamed of myself. But, oh, Lady Harry, I was so frightened
for you! Try to forgive me; I am so fond of you, and so glad to see you
here in safety. Don't go back! For God's sake, don't go back!"
Iris had no intention of returning, while the doctor and his patient
were still at Passy; and she found in Mrs. Vimpany's compassion good
reason to forgive an offence committed through devotion to herself, and
atoned for by sincere regret.
Fanny looked carefully over the next page of the letter, which
described Lady Harry's first interview with Mr.
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