Blind Love - Page 114/304

"He would have died by his own hand, Mr. Mountjoy----"

"Oh, Iris--'Mr.!'"

"I will say 'Hugh,' if you prefer it--but the days of our familiar

friendship are none the less at an end. I found Lord Harry bleeding to

death from a wound in his throat. It was in a lonely place on Hampstead

Heath; I was the one person who happened to pass by it. For the third

time, you see, it has been my destiny to save him. How can I forget

that? My mind will dwell on it. I try to find happiness--oh, only

happiness enough for me--in cheering my poor Irishman, on his way back

to the life that I have preserved. There is my motive, if I have a

motive. Day after day I have helped to nurse him. Day after day I have

heard him say things to me--what is the use of repeating them? After

years of resistance I have given way; let that be enough. My one act of

discretion has been to prevent a quarrel between my father and Harry. I

beg your pardon, I ought to have said Lord Harry. When my father came

to the house, I insisted on speaking with him alone. I told him what I

have just told you. He said: 'Think again before you make your choice

between that man and me. If you decide to marry him, you will live and

die without one farthing of my money to help you.' He put his watch on

the table between us, and gave me five minutes to make up my mind. It

was a long five minutes, but it ended at last. He asked me which he was

to do--leave his will as it was, or go to his lawyer and make another.

I said, 'You will do as you please, sir.' No; it was not a hasty

reply--you can't make that excuse for me. I knew what I was saying; and

I saw the future I was preparing for myself, as plainly as you see

it--"

Hugh could endure no longer the reckless expression of her despair.

"No!" he cried, "you don't see your future as I see it. Will you hear

what I have to say, before it is too late?"

"It is too late already. But I will listen to you if you wish it."

"And, while you listen," Mountjoy added, "you will acquit me of being

influenced by a selfish motive. I have loved you dearly. Perhaps, in

secret, I love you still. But, this I know: if you were to remain a

single woman for the rest of your life, there would be no hope for Me.

Do you believe that I am speaking the truth?"