pentance
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. Mountjoy since his
illness. The expressions of happiness on renewing her relations with
her old and dear friend confirmed the maid in her first impression that
there was no fear of a premature return to Passy, with the wish to see
Lord Harry again as the motive. She looked over the later letters
next--and still the good influence of Mr. Mountjoy seemed to be in time
ascendant. There was anxiety felt for Fanny's safety, and curiosity
expressed to hear what discoveries she might have made; but the only
allusions to my lord contained ordinary inquiries relating to the state
of his health, and, on one occasion, there was a wish expressed to know
whether he was still on friendly terms with Mr. Vimpany. There seemed
to be no fear of tempting her mistress to undervalue the danger of
returning to the cottage, if she mentioned the cheering improvement now
visible in Mr. Oxbye. And yet Fanny still hesitated to trust her first
impressions, even after they had been confirmed. Her own sad experience
reminded her of the fatal influence which an unscrupulous man can
exercise over the woman who loves him. It was always possible that Lady
Harry might not choose to confide the state of her feelings towards her
husband to a person who, after all, only occupied the position of her
maid. The absence, in her letters, of any expressions of affectionate
regret was no proof that she was not thinking of my lord. So far as he
was personally concerned, the Dane's prospects of recovery would appear
to justify the action of the doctor and his accomplice. Distrusting
them both as resolutely as ever, and determined to keep Lady Harry as
long as possible at the safe distance of London, Fanny Mere, in writing
her reply, preserved a discreet silence on the subject of Mr. Oxbye's
health.

[At this point Wilkie Collins' health