refused to pay a lawful claim
it would cut its own throat--absolutely. Its very existence depends
upon its meeting all just and lawful claims. The death being proved it
remains for the Company to pay the insurance into the hands of the
person entitled to receive it. That is, in this case, to me, acting for
you."

"Yes--I see--but I thought that, perhaps, my husband having died abroad
there might be difficulty--"

"There might, if he had died in Central Africa. But he died in a suburb
of Paris, under French law, which, in such matters, is even more
careful and exacting than our own. We have the official papers, and the
doctor's certificate. We have, besides, a photograph of the unfortunate
gentleman lying on his death-bed--this was well thought of: it is an
admirable likeness--the sun cannot lie--we have also a photograph of
the newly erected tombstone. Doubt? Dear me, Madam, they could no more
raise a doubt as to your husband's death than if he were buried in the
family vault. If anything should remove any ground for doubt, it is the
fact that the only person who benefits by his death is yourself. If, on
the other hand, he had been in the hands of persons who had reason to
wish for his death, there might have been suspicions of foul play,
which would have been matter for the police--but not for an insurance
company."

"Oh! I am glad to learn, at least, that there will be no trouble. I
have no knowledge of business, and I thought that--"

"No--no--your ladyship need have no such ideas. In fact, I have already
anticipated your arrival, and have sent to the manager of the company.
He certainly went so far as to express a doubt as to the cause of
death. Consumption in any form was not supposed to be in your husband's
family. But Lord Harry--ahem!--tried his constitution--tried his
constitition, as I put it."

He had put it a little differently. What he said was to the following
effect--"Lord Harry Norland, sir, was a devil. There was nothing he did
not do. I only wonder that he has lived so long. Had I been told that
he died of everything all together, I should not have been surprised.
Ordinary rapid consumption was too simple for such a man."

Iris gave the lawyer her London address, obeyed him by drawing a
hundred pounds, half of which she sent to Mr. William Linville, at
Louvain, and went home to wait. She must now stay in London until the
claim was discharged.

She waited six weeks. At the end of that time she