Iris related to Madame de Hansfeld the history of the Black Book.
Paula was overwhelmed, stupefied at this revelation. She could hardly credit such daring with such diabolical plotting.
"It is most horrible!" she exclaimed.
Iris looked at her mistress with a strange smile, and replied,—
"You had until now reproached me with acting without your consent. I was wrong. I wished to conceal from you the thread of the events which were in preparation, and you have forced me to disclose all to you. You will now repent it that you know all. Whilst you were in ignorance of this plot, its success was a stroke of chance for you by which you would have profited without compunction. Now you know all, if you do not reveal it, you become an accomplice."
"Then why did you obey me?" exclaimed Madame de Hansfeld, mechanically. "Why did you tell me all these horrors?"
This was an odious remark, and betrayed the secret and homicidal thought of Paula.
"I obeyed you," replied Iris, bitterly, "because I expected with impatience your order to do so, and if you had not given me that order I should have told you all without your commands."
"What says she?"
"I do not abuse myself; whilst I am working your happiness, I am hastening my own misery. When you marry M. de Morville, I should become to you merely an object of contempt and horror. It is true I might have acted in silence without informing you, and leaving you innocently to reap the fruit of this deadly plot. But I will confess—I had not the courage. I am willing to die for you, but it must be on condition that you say at least, 'Die for me!'"