She dropped helplessly into a chair.

Oh, for a friend who could feel for her, who could strengthen her, whose wise words could restore her to her better and calmer self! Hugh was far away; and Iris was left to suffer and to struggle alone.
Heartfelt aspirations for help and sympathy! Oh, irony of circumstances, how were they answered?
The housemaid entered the room, to announce the arrival of a discharged servant, with a lost character.
"Let the young woman come in," Iris said.

Was Fanny Mere the friend whom she had been longing for?
She looked at her troubled face in the glass--and laughed bitterly..