CHAPTER XVII.
ON HAMPSTEAD HEATH IRIS had only to remember the manner in which she and Mountjoy had disappointed her father, to perceive the serious necessity of preventing Mountjoy's rival from paying a visit at Mr.Henley's house.
She wrote at once to Lord Harry, at the hotel which Mr.Vimpany had mentioned, entreating him not to think of calling on her.

Being well aware that he would insist on a meeting, she engaged to write again and propose an appointment.

In making this concession, Iris might have found it easier to persuade herself that she was yielding to sheer necessity, if she had not been guiltily conscious of a feeling of pleasure at the prospect of seeing Lord Harry again, returning to her an innocent man.

There was some influence, in this train of thought, which led her mind back to Hugh.

She regretted his absence--wondered whether he would have proposed throwing her letter to the Irish lord into the fire--sighed, closed the envelope, and sent the letter to the post.
On the next day, she had arranged to drive to Muswell Hill, and to pay the customary visit to Rhoda.