Madame de Hansfeld felt some hesitation as to the manner in which she should commence the conversation, with a view to arriving at the truth of what she desired to know: by expressing herself in terms of severity, however merited, she feared to alarm Iris, and thereby occasion an obstinate silence or absolute denial. At length she persuaded herself she had found the means of avoiding this difficulty.
"Iris," said she, dejectedly, as the Creole stood beside her, in prompt obedience to her summons,—"Iris, M. de Hansfeld has just left me. At length I have discovered the cause of all those eccentricities on his part, which made me fear his reason was affected."
"And what is that cause, godmother?"
"His life has been three times attempted."
"He fancies so, as he fancies many other things equally absurd and improbable."
"I tell you it is as I say; thrice has his life been in danger; I have irrefragable proofs of what I assert."
"And he knows the guilty person?"
"At least he believes he does."
"And who is this person?"
"Myself!"