Mountjoy. Would she be subdued by him as
of old? Would she find the courage to stand up to him? For the sake of
Iris--yes. For the sake of the man who had been so kind to her--yes.
In the evening, the two women--Mrs. Vimpany and Fanny--were seated in
the housekeeper's room. Both had work in their laps: neither was doing
any work. The autumnal day had been boisterous; the wind was getting
higher.
"What are you thinking of?" asked Fanny.
"I was thinking of my husband. If he were to come back, Fanny--if he
were to threaten--"
"You would loose my tongue--you would let me speak?"
"Yes; for her sake. I would have shielded him once---if I could. But
not now. I know, at last, that there is no single good thing left in
him."
"You have heard from him. I saw the letter this morning, in the box. I
knew the handwriting. I have been waiting for you to speak."
"Hush! Yes, Fanny; I have heard from him. He wants money. He will come
here to-morrow morning, and will threaten Mr. Mountjoy. Keep your
mistress in her own room. Persuade her to lie in bed--anything."
"He does not know what I have seen. Charge him with the murder of the
Dane. Tell him," said Fanny, her lips stiffening, that if he dares to
come again--if he does not go away--he shall be arrested for murder.
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