ors. Iris, what has the
conspiracy to do with you?" It will be observed that Hugh had not read
the letter written to the Directors of the Company.

"Do you know about the money?"

"Certainly. You sent back all that you could--five thousand pounds.
That showed your own innocence--"

"Hugh, you know that I am guilty."

"The world will think that you are innocent. At any rate, you can come
out and go about without fear. Tell me, what are your plans?"

"I have no plans. I only want to hide my head--somewhere."

"Yes; we will talk about that presently. Meantime, I have some news for
you."

"News? What news?"

"Really good news. I have to tell you a thing which will surprise you."

"Good news? What good news is there for me?"

"Your husband has sent back the whole of the money."

"Sent back? To the Insurance Office?"

"All has been sent back. He wrote two letters--one to the solicitors
and the other to the Insurance Company. It is not likely now that
anything can be said, because the Directors have accepted the money.
Moreover, it appears that they might have proceeded against the lawyers
for the recovery of the money, but that they have nothing to do either
with you or with Lord Harry Norland. That is a difficult point,
however. Somebody, it seems, has compounded--or is going to compound--a
felony. I do not understand exactly what this means, or what dreadful
consequences might follow; but I am assured by the lawyers that we need
apprehend nothing more. All is over."

Iris heaved a profound sigh.

"Then he is safe?" she said.

"You think of him first," said Hugh, jealously. "Yes: he is safe; and,
I do hope, gone away, out of the country, never to come back any more.
The more important thing is that you should be safe from him. As for
the doctor--but I cannot speak of the doctor with common patience. Let
him be left to the end which always awaits such men. It is to be hoped
that he will never, wherever he goes, feel himself in safety."

"I am safe," said Iris, "not only from my husband, but from what else
beside? You know what I mean. You mean that I, as well as my husband,
am safe from that. Oh! the fear of it has never left me--never for one
moment. You tell me that I am safe from public disgrace, and I
rejoice--when I ought to sink into the earth with shame!" She covered
her face with her hands.

"Iris, we know what you have done. We also know why you did it. What
need we say more? The thing is finish