I am as convinced as you
could possibly be that my husband and Lord Harry are trading on the
supposed death of the letter. We can do nothing. Let us wait."
Three days afterwards she wrote again.
"The opportunity for which I have been waiting has come at last. Mr.
Mountjoy is, I believe, fully recovered. This morning, seeing him so
well and strong, I asked him if I might venture to place in his hands a
paper containing a narrative.
"'Is it concerning Iris?' he asked.
"'It has to do with Lady Harry--indirectly.'
"For a while he made no reply. Then he asked me if it had also to do
with her husband.
"'With her husband and with mine,' I told him.
"Again he was silent.
"After a bit he looked up and said, 'I had promised myself never again
to interfere in Lady Harry Norland's affairs. You wish me to read this
document, Mrs. Vimpany?
"'Certainly; I am most anxious that you should read it and should
advise upon it.'
"'Who wrote it?'
"'Fanny Mere, Lady Harry's maid.'
"'If it is only to tell me that her husband is a villain,' he said, 'I
will not read it.'
"'If you were enabled by reading it to keep Lady Harry from a dreadful
misfortune?' I suggested.
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