ou can. But I charge you--it is my
latest word--mourn not for one who has done his best to poison your
life and to ruin your soul."

In the other letter he said:

"I know the affection you have always entertained for Iris. She will
tell you what she pleases about the past. If she tells you nothing
about her late husband, think the worst and you will not be wrong.
Remember that whatever she has done was done for me and at my
instigation. She ought to have married you instead of me.

"I am in the presence of Death. The men who are going to kill me are
under this very roof. They will kill me, perhaps to-night. Perhaps they
will wait for a quieter and a safer place. But they will kill me.

"In the presence of Death, I rise superior to the pitiful jealousy with
which I have always regarded you. I now despise it. I ask your pardon
for it. Help Iris to forget the action of her life of which she has
most reason to be ashamed. Show that you forgive me--when you have
forgiven her--and when you have helped her in the warmth and strength
of your love to drive me out of your thoughts for ever.

"H. N."

EPILOGUE

IT is two years after the murder of Lord Harry Norland, the last event
connected with this history.

Iris, when she accepted Hugh Mountjoy's offer of his Scotch villa, went
there resolved to hide herself from the world. Too many people, she
thought, knew her history, and what she had done. It was not likely
that the Directors of the Insurance Company would all hold their
tongues about a scandal so very unusual. Even if they did not charge
her with complicity, as they could, they would certainly tell the
story--all the more readily since Lord Harry's murder--of the
conspiracy and its success. She could never again, she told herself, be
seen in the world.

She was accompanied by her friend and maid--the woman whose fidelity to
her had been so abundantly proved--and by Mrs. Vimpany, who acted as
housekeeper.

After a decent interval, Hugh Mountjoy joined her. She was now a widow.
She understood very well what he wished to say, and she anticipated
him. She informed him that nothing would ever induce her to become the
wife of any other man after her degradation. Hugh received this
intimation without a remark. He remained in the neighbourhood, however,
calling upon her frequently and offering no word of love. But he became
necessary to her. The frequent visits became daily; the afternoon
visits were paid in the mo