She would have him---infatuated about him--sad business.
Mr. Chairman, I submit that it is quite impossible for us to take
proceedings against this unfortunate lady, who is doing her utmost to
make restitution."

"The Company must not compound a felony," the Chairman repeated.

"Even if we do not get back that two thousand pounds," said the
Secretary, "the Company will lose nothing. The surrender value must be
considered."

Then another of the Directors spoke. "We do not know where this lady is
to be found. She is probably passing under another name. It is not our
business to hunt her down."

"And if we found her we should have to prove the case, and her guilty
knowledge of the conspiracy," said another. "How would this precious
letter be taken as evidence? Why, we do not even know that it is true.
We might exhume the body: what would that prove after three months? We
might open up the case, and spend a heap of money, and create a great
scandal, and be none the better for it afterwards. My advice is, let
the thing drop."

"Well, but," objected another, "suppose we admit that the man is still
living. He may die, and then there would be another claim upon us."

"Of that," said the Chairman, "I think there need be no apprehension
whatever. You have heard his letter. But, I repeat, we must not
compound a felony!"

"I submit, Mr. Chairman," said one who had not spoken--and he was a
barrister--"that the Company knows nothing at all about Lady Harry
Norland. We have had to deal with the firm of Erskine, Mansfield,
Denham & Co., of Lincoln's Inn Fields: and a most respectable firm too.
On their representations we paid the money. If it can be ascertained
that we have been defrauded we must look to them. If we have to
prosecute anybody it must be that respectable firm."

"Good," said the Chairman.

"I propose, therefore, that the Secretary write to Lord Harry Norland,
informing him that the Company have had nothing at all to do with his
wife, and do not recognise her action in any way. We shall then see
what happens, and can proceed in accordance."

At this moment a card was brought in. It was that of Mr. Erskine
himself, senior partner in the very firm.

He came in, old, eminently respectable, but shaken. He was greatly
shaken. "Gentlemen," he said nervously, "I hasten to bring you a
communication, a most extraordinary communication, which I have just
received. It is nothing less than a confession--a full confessi