Julian'sfacedarkenedominously。
　　"Thisconfirmsmyworstfears，"hesaid。"HaveyouhadanycommunicationwithLadyJanet？"
　　Mercyrepliedbyshowinghimhisaunt'snote。Hereaditcarefullythrough。
　　"DidInottellyou，"hesaid，"thatshewouldfindsomeexcuseforrefusingtohearyourconfession？Shebeginsbydelayingit，simplytogaintimeforsomethingelsewhichshehasitinhermindtodo。Whendidyoureceivethisnote？Soonafteryouwentupstairs？"
　　"Aboutaquarterofanhourafter，aswellasIcanguess。"
　　"Doyouknowwhathappeneddownhereafteryouleftus？"
　　"HoracetoldmethatLadyJanethadofferedMissRoseberrytheuseofherboudoir。"
　　"Anymore？"
　　"Hesaidthatyouhadshownherthewaytotheroom。"
　　"Didhetellyouwhathappenedafterthat？"
　　"No。"
　　"ThenImusttellyou。IfIcandonothingmoreinthisseriousstateofthings，Icanatleastpreventyourbeingtakenbysurprise。Inthefirstplace，itisrightyoushouldknowthatIhadamotiveforaccompanyingMissRoseberrytotheboudoir。Iwasanxiousforyoursaketomakesomeappealtoherbetterself——ifshehadanybetterselftoaddress。IownIhaddoubtsofmysuccess——judgingbywhatIhadalreadyseenofher。Mydoubtswereconfirmed。IntheordinaryintercourseoflifeIshouldmerelyhavethoughtheracommonplace，uninterestingwoman。SeeingherasIsawherwhilewewerealone——inotherwords，penetratingbelowthesurface——Ihavenever，inallmysadexperience，metwithsuchahopelesslynarrow，mean，andlownatureashers。Understanding，asshecouldnotfailtodo，whatthesuddenchangeinLadyJanet'sbehaviortowardherreallymeant，heroneideawastotakethecruelestpossibleadvantageofit。Sofarfromfeelinganyconsiderationforyou，shewasonlyadditionallyimbitteredtowardyou。Sheprotestedagainstyourbeingpermittedtoclaimthemeritofplacingherinherrightpositionherebyyourownvoluntaryavowalofthetruth。Sheinsistedonpubliclydenouncingyou，andonforcingLadyJanettodismissyou，unheard，beforethewholehousehold！'NowIcanhavemyrevenge！AtlastLadyJanetisafraidofme！'Thosewereherownwords——Iamalmostashamedtorepeatthem——those，onmyhonor，wereherownwords！Everypossiblehumiliationtobeheapedonyou；noconsiderationtobeshownforLadyJanet'sageandLadyJanet'sposition；nothing，absolutelynothing，tobeallowedtointerferewithMissRoseberry'svengeanceandMissRoseberry'striumph！Thereisthiswoman'sshamelessviewofwhatisduetoher，asstatedbyherselfintheplainestterms。Ikeptmytemper；IdidallIcouldtobringhertoabetterframeofmind。Imightaswellhavepleaded——Iwon'tsaywithasavage；savagesaresometimesaccessibletoremonstrance，ifyouknowhowtoreachthem——Imightaswellhavepleadedwithahungryanimaltoabstainfromeatingwhilefoodwaswithinitsreach。Ihadjustgivenupthehopelesseffortindisgust，whenLadyJanet'smaidappearedwithamessageforMissRoseberryfromhermistress：'Mylady'scompliments，ma'am，andshewillbegladtoseeyouatyourearliestconvenience，inherroom。'"
　　Anothersurprise！GraceRoseberryinvitedtoaninterviewwithLadyJanet！Itwouldhavebeenimpossibletobelieveit，ifJulianhadnotheardtheinvitationgivenwithhisownears。
　　"Sheinstantlyrose，"Julianproceeded。"'Iwon'tkeepherladyshipwaitingamoment，'shesaid；'showmetheway。'Shesignedtothemaidtogooutoftheroomfirst，andthenturnedroundandspoketomefromthedoor。Idespairofdescribingtheinsolentexultationofhermanner。Icanonlyrepeatherwords：'ThisisexactlywhatIwanted！IhadintendedtoinsistonseeingLadyJanet：shesavesmethetrouble。Iaminfinitelyobligedtoher。'Withthatshenoddedtome，andclosedthedoor。Ihavenotseenher，Ihavenotheardofher，since。ForallIknow，shemaybestillwithmyaunt，andHoracemayhavefoundhertherewhenheenteredtheroom。"
　　"WhatcanLadyJanethavetosaytoher？"Mercyasked，eagerly。
　　"Itisimpossibleeventoguess。Whenyoufoundmeinthedining-roomIwasconsideringthatveryquestion。IcannotimaginethatanyneutralgroundcanexistonwhichitispossibleforLadyJanetandthiswomantomeet。InherpresentframeofmindshewillinallprobabilityinsultLadyJanetbeforeshehasbeenfiveminutesintheroom。IownIamcompletelypuzzled。TheoneconclusionIcanarriveatisthatthenotewhichmyauntsenttoyou，theprivateinterviewwithMissRoseberrywhichhasfollowed，andthesummonstoHoracewhichhassucceededinitsturn，arealllinksinthesamechainofevents，andarealltendingtothatrenewedtemptationagainstwhichIhavealreadywarnedyou。"
　　Mercyheldupherhandforsilence。Shelookedtowardthedoorthatopenedonthehall；hadsheheardafootstepoutside？No。Allwasstill。NotasignyetofHorace'sreturn。
　　"Oh！"sheexclaimed，"whatwouldInotgivetoknowwhatisgoingonupstairs！"
　　"Youwillsoonknowitnow，"saidJulian。"Itisimpossiblethatourpresentuncertaintycanlastmuchlonger。"
　　Heturnedaway，intendingtogobacktotheroominwhichshehadfoundhim。Lookingathersituationfromaman'spointofview，henaturallyassumedthatthebestservicehecouldnowrendertoMercywouldbetoleavehertoprepareherselffortheinterviewwithHorace。Beforehehadtakenthreestepsawayfromhersheshowedhimthedifferencebetweenthewoman'spointofviewandtheman's。Theideaofconsideringbeforehandwhatsheshouldsayneverenteredhermind。Inherhorrorofbeingleftbyherselfatthatcriticalmoment，sheforgoteveryotherconsideration。EventhewarningremembranceofHorace'sjealousdistrustofJulianpassedawayfromher，forthemoment，ascompletelyasifitneverhadaplaceinhermemory。"Don'tleaveme！"shecried。"Ican'twaitherealone。Comeback——comeback！"
　　Sheroseimpulsivelywhileshespoke，asiftofollowhimintothedining-room，ifhepersistedinleavingher。
　　AmomentaryexpressionofdoubtcrossedJulian'sfaceasheretracedhisstepsandsignedtohertobeseatedagain。Couldshebedependedonheaskedhimselftosustainthecomingtestofherresolution，whenshehadnotcourageenoughtowaitforeventsinaroombyherself？Julianhadyettolearnthatawoman'scourageriseswiththegreatnessoftheemergency。Askhertoaccompanyyouthroughafieldinwhichsomeharmlesscattlehappentobegrazing，anditisdoubtful，inninecasesoutoften，ifshewilldoit。Askher，asoneofthepassengersinashiponfire，tohelpinsettinganexampleofcomposuretotherest，anditiscertain，inninecasesoutoften，thatshewilldoit。AssoonasJulianhadtakenachairnearher，Mercywascalmagain。
　　"Areyousureofyourresolution？"heasked。
　　"Iamcertainofit，"sheanswered，"aslongasyoudon'tleavemebymyself。"
　　Thetalkbetweenthemdroppedthere。Theysattogetherinsilence，withtheireyesfixedonthedoor，waitingforHoracetocomein。
　　Afterthelapseofafewminutestheirattentionwasattractedbyasoundoutsideinthegrounds。Acarriageofsomesortwasplainlyaudibleapproachingthehouse。
　　Thecarriagestopped；thebellrang；thefrontdoorwasopened。Hadavisitorarrived？Novoicecouldbeheardmakinginquiries。Nofootstepsbuttheservant'sfootstepscrossedthehall。Alongpausefollowed，thecarriageremainingatthedoor。Insteadofbringingsomeonetothehouse，ithadapparentlyarrivedtotakesomeoneaway。
　　Thenexteventwasthereturnoftheservanttothefrontdoor。Theylistenedagain。Againnosecondfootstepwasaudible。Thedoorwasclosed；theservantrecrossedthehall；thecarriagewasdrivenaway。Judgingbysoundsalone，noonehadarrivedatthehouse，andnoonehadleftthehouse。
　　JulianlookedatMercy。"Doyouunderstandthis？"heasked。
　　Shesilentlyshookherhead。
　　"Ifanypersonhasgoneawayinthecarriage，"Julianwenton，"thatpersoncanhardlyhavebeenaman，orwemusthaveheardhiminthehall。"
　　TheconclusionwhichhercompanionhadjustdrawnfromthenoiselessdepartureofthesupposedvisitorraisedasuddendoubtinMercy'smind。
　　"Goandinquire！"shesaid，eagerly。
　　Julianlefttheroom，andreturnedagain，afterabriefabsence，withsignsofgraveanxietyinhisfaceandmanner。
　　"ItoldyouIdreadedthemosttriflingeventsthatwerepassingaboutus，"hesaid。"Anevent，whichisfarfrombeingtrifling，hasjusthappened。Thecarriagewhichweheardapproachingalongthedriveturnsouttohavebeenacabsentforfromthehouse。Thepersonwhohasgoneawayinit——"
　　"Isawoman，asyousupposed？"
　　"Yes。"
　　Mercyroseexcitedlyfromherchair。
　　"Itcan'tbeGraceRoseberry？"sheexclaimed。
　　"ItisGraceRoseberry。"
　　"Hasshegoneawayalone？"
　　"Alone——afteraninterviewwithLadyJanet。"
　　"Didshegowillingly？"
　　"Sheherselfsenttheservantforthecab。"
　　"Whatdoesitmean？"
　　"Itisuselesstoinquire。Weshallsoonknow。"
　　Theyresumedtheirseats，waiting，astheyhadwaitedalready，withtheireyesonthelibrarydoor。
　　[NextChapter]
　　[TableofContents]TheNewMagdalen，Chapter23CHAPTERXXIII。
　　LADYJANETATBAY。
　　THEnarrativeleavesJulianandMercyforawhile，and，ascendingtotheupperregionsofthehouse，followsthemarchofeventsinLadyJanet'sroom。
　　Themaidhaddeliveredhermistress'snotetoMercy，andhadgoneawayagainonherseconderrandtoGraceRoseberryinherboudoir。LadyJanetwasseatedatherwriting-table，waitingfortheappearanceofthewomanwhomshehadsummonedtoherpresence。Asinglelampdifuseditsmildlightoverthebooks，pictures，andbustsroundher，leavingthefurtherendoftheroom，inwhichthebedwasplaced，almostlostinobscurity。Theworksofartwereallportraits；thebookswereallpresentationcopiesfromtheauthors。ItwasLadyJanet'sfancytoassociateherbedroomwithmemorialsofthevariouspersonswhomshehadknowninthelongcourseofherlife——allofthemmoreorlessdistinguished，mostofthem，bythistime，gatheredwiththedead。
　　Shesatnearherwriting-table，lyingbackinhereasy-chair——thelivingrealizationofthepicturewhichJulian'sdescriptionhaddrawn。HereyeswerefixedonaphotographiclikenessofMercy，whichwassoraiseduponalittlegilteaselastoenablehertocontemplateitunderthefulllightofthelamp。Thebright，mobileoldfacewasstrangelyandsadlychanged。Thebrowwasfixed；themouthwasrigid；thewholefacewouldhavebeenlikeamask，moldedinthehardestformsofpassiveresistanceandsurpressedrage，butforthelightandlifestillthrownoveritbytheeyes。Therewassomethingunutterablytouchinginthekeenhungeringtendernessofthelookwhichtheyfixedontheportrait，intensifiedbyanunderlyingexpressionoffondandpatientreproach。ThedangerwhichJuliansowiselydreadedwasintherestoftheface；thelovewhichhehadsotrulydescribedwasintheeyesalone。Theystillspokeofthecruellyprofanedaffectionwhichhadbeentheoneimmeasurablejoy，theoneinexhaustiblehopeofLadyJanet'sclosinglife。Thebrowexpressednothingbutherobstinatedeterminationtostandbythewreckofthatjoy，torekindlethedeadashesofthathope。Thelipswereonlyeloquentofherunflinchingresolutiontoignorethehatefulpresentandtosavethesacredpast。"Mymydutytorequestaninterview，ifyouhadnotsentyourmaidtoinvitemeuphere。"
　　"Youwouldhavefeltityourdutytorequestaninterview？"LadyJanetrepeated，veryquietly。"Why？"
　　ThetoneinwhichthatonelastwordwasspokenembarrassedGraceattheoutset。ItestablishedasgreatadistancebetweenLadyJanetandherselfasifshehadbeenliftedinherchairandconveyedbodilytotheotherendoftheroom。
　　"Iamsurprisedthatyourladyshipshouldnotunderstandme，"shesaid，strugglingtoconcealherconfusion。"Especiallyafteryourkindofferofyourownboudoir。"
　　LadyJanetremainedperfectlyunmoved。"Idonotunderstandyou，"sheanswered，justasquietlyasever。
　　Grace'stempercametoherassistance。Sherecoveredtheassurancewhichhadmarkedherfirstappearanceonthescene。
　　"Inthatcase，"sheresumed，"Imustenterintoparticulars，injusticetomyself。Icanplacebutoneinterpretationontheextraordinarychangeinyourladyship'sbehaviortomedownstairs。Theconductofthatabominablewomanhasatlastopenedyoureyestothedeceptionthathasbeenpracticedonyou。Forsomereasonofyourown，however，youhavenotyetchosentorecognizemeopenly。Inthispainfulpositionsomethingisduetomyownself-respect。Icannot，andwillnot，permitMercyMerricktoclaimthemeritofrestoringmetomyproperplaceinthishouse。AfterwhatIhavesuffereditisquiteimpossibleformetoendurethat。Ishouldhaverequestedaninterviewifyouhadnotsentformefortheexpresspurposeofclaimingthisperson'simmediateexpulsionfromthehouse。IclaimitnowasaproperconcessiontoMe。WhateveryouorMr。JulianGraymaydo，Iwillnottamelypermithertoexhibitherselfasaninterestingpenitent。Itisreallyalittletoomuchtohearthisbrazenadventuressappointherowntimeforexplainingherself。Itistoodeliberatelyinsultingtoseehersailoutoftheroom——withaclergymanoftheChurchofEnglandopeningthedoorforher——asifshewaslayingmeunderanobligation！Icanforgivemuch，LadyJanet——includingthetermsinwhichyouthoughtitdecenttoordermeoutofyourhouse。Iamquitewillingtoaccepttheofferofyourboudoir，astheexpressiononyourpartofabetterframeofmind。ButevenChristianCharityhasitslimits。Thecontinuedpresenceofthatwretchunderyourroofis，youwillpermitmetoremark，notonlyamonumentofyourownweakness，butaperfectlyinsufferableinsulttoMe。"
　　Thereshestoppedabruptly——notforwantofwords，butforwantofalistener。
　　LadyJanetwasnotevenpretendingtoattendtoher。LadyJanet，withadeliberaterudenessentirelyforeigntoherusualhabits，wascomposedlybusyingherselfinarrangingthevariouspapersscatteredaboutthetable。Someshetiedtogetherwithlittlemorselsofstring；somesheplacedunderpaper-weights；someshedepositedinthefantasticpigeon-holesofalittleJapanesecabinet——workingwithaplacidenjoymentofherownorderlyoccupation，andperfectlyunaware，toalloutwardappearance，thatanysecondpersonwasintheroom。Shelookedup，withherpapersinbothhands，whenGracestopped，andsaid，quietly，"Haveyoudone？"
　　"Isyourladyship'spurposeinsendingformetotreatmewithstudiedrudeness？"Graceretorted，angrily。
　　"Mypurposeinsendingforyouistosaysomethingassoonasyouwillallowmetheopportunity。"
　　TheimpenetrablecomposureofthatreplytookGracecompletelybysurprise。Shehadnoretortready。Insheerastonishmentshewaitedsilentlywithhereyesrivetedonthemistressofthehouse。
　　LadyJanetputdownherpapers，andsettledherselfcomfortablyintheeasy-chair，preparatorytoopeningtheinterviewonherside。
　　"ThelittlethatIhavetosaytoyou，"shebegan，"maybesaidinaquestion。AmIrightinsupposingthatyouhavenopresentemployment，andthatalittleadvanceinmoneydelicatelyofferedwouldbeveryacceptabletoyou？"
　　"Doyoumeantoinsultme，LadyJanet？"
　　"Certainlynot。Imeantoaskyouaquestion。"
　　"Yourquestionisaninsult。"
　　"Myquestionisakindness，ifyouwillonlyunderstanditasitisintended。Idon'tcomplainofyournotunderstandingit。Idon'tevenholdyouresponsibleforanyoneofthemanybreachesofgoodmannerswhichyouhavecommittedsinceyouhavebeeninthisroom。Iwashonestlyanxioustobeofsomeservicetoyou，andyouhaverepelledmyadvances。Iamsorry。Letusdropthesubject。"
　　Expressingherselfinthemostperfecttemperinthoseterms，LadyJanetresumedthearrangementofherpapers，andbecameunconsciousoncemoreofthepresenceofanysecondpersonintheroom。
　　Graceopenedherlipstoreplywiththeutmostintemperanceofanangrywoman，andthinkingbetterofit，controlledherself。ItwasplainlyuselesstotaketheviolentwaywithLadyJanetRoy。Herageandhersocialpositionwereenoughofthemselvestorepelanyviolence。Sheevidentlyknewthat，andtrustedtoit。Graceresolvedtomeettheenemyontheneutralgroundofpoliteness，asthemostpromisinggroundthatshecouldoccupyunderpresentcircumstances。
　　"IfIhavesaidanythinghasty，Ibegtoapologizetoyourladyship，"shebegan。"MayIaskifyouronlyobjectinsendingformewastoinquireintomypecuniaryaffairs，withaviewtoassistingme？"
　　"That，"saidLadyJanet，"wasmyonlyobject。"
　　"YouhadnothingtosaytomeonthesubjectofMercyMerrick？"
　　"Nothingwhatever。IamwearyofhearingofMercyMerrick。Haveyouanymorequestionstoaskme？"
　　"Ihaveonemore。"
　　"Yes？"
　　"IwishtoaskyourladyshipwhetheryouproposetorecognizemeinthepresenceofyourhouseholdasthelateColonelRoseberry'sdaughter？"
　　"Ihavealreadyrecognizedyouasaladyinembarrassedcircumstances，whohaspeculiarclaimsonmyconsiderationandforbearance。Ifyouwishmetorepeatthosewordsinthepresenceoftheservantsabsurdasitis，Iamreadytocomplywithyourrequest。"
　　Grace'stemperbegantogetthebetterofherprudentresolutions。
　　"LadyJanet！"shesaid；"thiswon'tdo。Imustrequestyoutoexpressyourselfplainly。Youtalkofmypeculiarclaimsonyourforbearance。Whatclaimsdoyoumean？"
　　"Itwillbepainfultobothofusifweenterintodetails，"repliedLadyJanet。"Praydon'tletusenterintodetails。"
　　"Iinsistonit，madam。"
　　"Praydon'tinsistonit。"
　　Gracewasdeaftoremonstrance。
　　"Iaskyouinplainwords，"shewenton，"doyouacknowledgethatyouhavebeendeceivedbyanadventuresswhohaspersonatedme？Doyoumeantorestoremetomyproperplaceinthishouse？"
　　LadyJanetreturnedtothearrangementofherpapers。
　　"Doesyourladyshiprefusetolistentome？"
　　LadyJanetlookedupfromherpapersasblandlyasever。
　　"Ifyoupersistinreturningtoyourdelusion，"shesaid，"youwillobligemetopersistinreturningtomypapers。"
　　"Whatismydelusion，ifyouplease？"
　　"Yourdelusionisexpressedinthequestionsyouhavejustputtome。Yourdelusionconstitutesyourpeculiarclaimonmyforbearance。Nothingyoucansayordowillshakemyforbearance。WhenIfirstfoundyouinthedining-room，Iactedmostimproperly；Ilostmytemper。Ididworse；Iwasfoolishenoughandimprudentenoughtosendforapoliceofficer。Ioweyoueverypossibleatonementafflictedasyouarefortreatingyouinthatcruelmanner。Iofferedyoutheuseofmyboudoir，aspartofmyatonement。Isentforyou，inthehopethatyouwouldallowmetoassistyou，aspartofmyatonement。Youmaybehaverudelytome，youmayspeakinthemostabusivetermsofmyadopteddaughter；Iwillsubmittoanything，aspartofmyatonement。Solongasyouabstainfromspeakingononepainfulsubject，Iwilllistentoyouwiththegreatestpleasure。WheneveryoureturntothatsubjectIshallreturntomypapers。"
　　GracelookedatLadyJanetwithanevilsmile。
　　"Ibegintounderstandyourladyship，"shesaid。"Youareashamedtoacknowledgethatyouhavebeengrosslyimposedupon。Youronlyalternative，ofcourse，istoignoreeverythingthathashappened。Praycountonmyforbearance。Iamnotatalloffended——Iammerelyamused。Itisnoteverydaythataladyofhighrankexhibitsherselfinsuchapositionasyourstoanobscurewomanlikeme。Yourhumaneconsiderationformedates，Ipresume，fromthetimewhenyouradopteddaughtersetyoutheexample，byorderingthepoliceofficeroutoftheroom？"
　　LadyJanet'scomposurewasproofevenagainstthisassaultonit。ShegravelyacceptedGrace'sinquiryasaquestionaddressedtoherinperfectgoodfaith。
　　"Iamnotatallsurprised，"shereplied，"tofindthatmyadopteddaughter'sinterferencehasexposedhertomisrepresentation。Sheoughttohaveremonstratedwithmeprivatelybeforesheinterfered。Butshehasonefault——sheistooimpulsive。Ihavenever，inallmyexperience，metwithsuchawarm-heartedpersonassheis。Alwaystooconsiderateofothers；alwaystooforgetfulofherself！Themereappearanceofthepoliceofficerplacedyouinasituationtoappealtohercompassion，andherimpulsescarriedherawayasusual。Myfault！Allmyfault！"
　　Gracechangedhertoneoncemore。ShewasquickenoughtodiscernthatLadyJanetwasamatchforherwithherownweapons。
　　"Wehavehadenoughofthis，"shesaid。"Itistimetobeserious。YouradopteddaughterasyoucallherisMercyMerrick，andyouknowit。"
　　LadyJanetreturnedtoherpapers。
　　"IamGraceRoseberry，whosenameshehasstolen，andyouknowthat。"
　　LadyJanetwentonwithherpapers。
　　Gracegotupfromherchair。
　　"Iacceptyoursilence，LadyJanet，"shesaid，"asanacknowledgmentofyourdeliberateresolutiontosuppressthetruth。Youareevidentlydeterminedtoreceivetheadventuressasthetruewoman；andyoudon'tscrupletofacetheconsequencesofthatproceeding，bypretendingtomyfacetobelievethatIammad。Iwillnotallowmyselftobeimpudentlycheatedoutofmyrightsinthisway。Youwillhearfrommeagainmadam，whentheCanadianmailarrivesinEngland。"
　　Shewalkedtowardthedoor。ThistimeLadyJanetanswered，asreadilyandasexplicitlyasitwaspossibletodesire。
　　"Ishallrefusetoreceiveyourletters，"shesaid。
　　Gracereturnedafewsteps，threateningly。
　　"Mylettersshallbefollowedbymywitnesses，"sheproceeded。
　　"Ishallrefusetoreceiveyourwitnesses。"
　　"Refuseatyourperil。Iwillappealtothelaw。"
　　LadyJanetsmiled。
　　"Idon'tpretendtomuchknowledgeofthesubject，"shesaid；"butIshouldbesurprisedindeedifIdiscoveredthatyouhadanyclaimonmewhichthelawcouldenforce。However，letussupposethatyoucansetthelawinaction。YouknowaswellasIdothattheonlymotivepowerwhichcandothatis——money。Iamrich；fees，costs，andalltherestofitaremattersofnosortofconsequencetome。MayIaskifyouareinthesameposition？"
　　ThequestionsilencedGrace。Sofarasmoneywasconcerned，shewasliterallyattheendofherresources。HeronlyfriendswerefriendsinCanada。Afterwhatshehadsaidtohimintheboudoir，itwouldbequiteuselesstoappealtothesympathiesofJulianGray。Inthepecuniarysense，andinoneword，shewasabsolutelyincapableofgratifyingherownvindictivelongings。AndtheresatthemistressofMablethorpeHouse，perfectlywellawareofit。
　　LadyJanetpointedtotheemptychair。
　　"Supposeyousitdownagain？"shesuggested。"ThecourseofourinterviewseemstohavebroughtusbacktothequestionthatIaskedyouwhenyoucameintomyroom。Insteadofthreateningmewiththelaw，supposeyouconsidertheproprietyofpermittingmetobeofsomeusetoyou。Iaminthehabitofassistingladiesinembarrassedcircumstances，andnobodyknowsofitbutmysteward——whokeepstheaccounts——andmyself。Oncemore，letmeinquireifalittleadvanceofthepecuniarysortdelicatelyofferedwouldbeacceptabletoyou？"
　　Gracereturnedslowlytothechairthatshehadleft。Shestoodbyit，withonehandgraspingthetoprail，andwithhereyesfixedinmockingscrutinyonLadyJanet'sface。
　　"Atlastyourladyshipshowsyourhand，"shesaid。"Hush-money！"
　　"Youwillsendmebacktomypapers，"rejoinedLadyJanet。"Howobstinateyouare！"
　　Grace'shandclosedtighterandtighterroundtherailofthechair。Withoutwitnesses，withoutmeans，withoutsomuchasarefuge——thankstoherowncoarsecrueltiesoflanguageandconduct——inthesympathiesofothers，thesenseofherisolationandherhelplessnesswasalmostmaddeningatthatfinalmoment。Awomanoffinersensibilitieswouldhaveinstantlylefttheroom。Grace'simpenetrablyhardandnarrowmindimpelledhertomeettheemergencyinaverydifferentway。Alastbasevengeance，towhichLadyJanethadvoluntarilyexposedherself，wasstillwithinherreach。"Forthepresent，"shethought，"thereisbutonewayofbeingevenwithyourladyship。Icancostyouasmuchaspossible。"
　　"Praymakesomeallowancesforme，"shesaid。"Iamnotobstinate——Iamonlyalittleawkwardatmatchingtheaudacityofaladyofhighrank。Ishallimprovewithpractice。Myownlanguageis，asIampainfullyaware，onlyplainEnglish。Permitmetowithdrawit，andtosubstituteyours。Whatadvanceisyourladyshipdelicatelypreparedtoofferme？"
　　LadyJanetopenedadrawer，andtookouthercheck-book。
　　Themomentofreliefhadcomeatlast！Theonlyquestionnowlefttodiscusswasevidentlythequestionofamount。LadyJanetconsideredalittle。Thequestionofamountwastohermindinsomesortaquestionofconscienceaswell。HerloveforMercyandherloathingforGrace，herhorrorofseeingherdarlingdegradedandheraffectionprofanedbyapublicexposure，hadhurriedher——therewasnodisputingit——intotreatinganinjuredwomanharshly。HatefulasGraceRoseberrymightbe，herfatherhadlefther，inhislastmoments，withLadyJanet'sfullconcurrence，toLadyJanet'scare。ButforMercyshewouldhavebeenreceivedatMablethorpeHouseasLadyJanet'scompanion，withasalaryofonehundredpoundsayear。Ontheotherhand，howlongwithsuchatemperasshehadrevealedwouldGracehaveremainedintheserviceofherprotectress？Shewouldprobablyhavebeendismissedinafewweeks，withayear'ssalarytocompensateher，andwitharecommendationtosomesuitableemployment。Whatwouldbeafaircompensationnow？LadyJanetdecidedthatfiveyears'salaryimmediatelygiven，andfutureassistancerenderedifnecessary，wouldrepresentafitremembranceofthelateColonelRoseberry'sclaims，andaliberalpecuniaryacknowledgmentofanyharshnessoftreatmentwhichGracemighthavesustainedatherhands。Atthesametime，andforthefurthersatisfyingofherownconscience，shedeterminedtodiscoverthesumwhichGraceherselfwouldconsidersufficientbythesimpleprocessofmakingGraceherselfproposetheterms。
　　"Itisimpossibleformetomakeyouanoffer，"shesaid，"forthisreason——yourneedofmoneywilldependgreatlyonyourfutureplans。Iamquiteignorantofyourfutureplans。"
　　"Perhapsyourladyshipwillkindlyadviseme？"saidGrace，satirically。
　　"Icannotaltogetherundertaketoadviseyou，"LadyJanetreplied。"IcanonlysupposethatyouwillscarcelyremaininEngland，whereyouhavenofriends。Whetheryougotolawwithmeornot，youwillsurelyfeelthenecessityofcommunicatingpersonallywithyourfriendsinCanada。AmIright？"
　　Gracewasquitequickenoughtounderstandthisasitwasmeant。Properlyinterpreted，theanswersignified——"Ifyoutakeyourcompensationinmoney，itisunderstood，aspartofthebargainthatyoudon'tremaininEnglandtoannoyme。"
　　"Yourladyshipisquiteright，"shesaid。"IshallcertainlynotremaininEngland。Ishallconsultmyfriends——and，"sheadded，mentally，"gotolawwithyouafterward，ifIpossiblycan，withyourownmoney！"
　　"YouwillreturntoCanada，"LadyJanetproceeded；"andyourprospectstherewillbe，probably，alittleuncertainatfirst。Takingthisintoconsideration，atwhatamountdoyouestimate，inyourownmind，thepecuniaryassistancewhichyouwillrequire？"
　　"MayIcountonyourladyship's，kindnesstocorrectmeifmyownignorantcalculationsturnouttobewrong？"Graceasked，innocently。
　　Hereagainthewords，properlyinterpreted，hadaspecialsignificationoftheirown："Itisstipulated，onmypart，thatIputmyselfuptoauction，andthatmyestimateshallberegulatedbyyourladyship'shighestbid。"Thoroughlyunderstandingthestipulation，LadyJanetbowed，andwaitedgravely。
　　Gravely，onherside，Gracebegan。
　　"IamafraidIshouldwantmorethanahundredpounds，"shesaid。
　　LadyJanetmadeherfirstbid。"Ithinksotoo。"
　　"More，perhaps，thantwohundred？"
　　LadyJanetmadehersecondbid。"Probably。"
　　"Morethanthreehundred？Fourhundred？Fivehundred？"
　　LadyJanetmadeherhighestbid。"Fivehundredpoundswilldo，"shesaid。
　　Inspiteofherself，Grace'srisingcolorbetrayedherungovernableexcitement。Fromherearliestchildhoodshehadbeenaccustomedtoseeshillingsandsixpencescarefullyconsideredbeforetheywerepartedwith。Shehadneverknownherfathertopossesssomuchasfivegoldensovereignsathisowndisposalunencumberedbydebtinallherexperienceofhim。Theatmosphereinwhichshehadlivedandbreathedwastheall-stiflingoneofgenteelpoverty。TherewassomethinghorribleinthegreedyeagernessofhereyesastheywatchedLadyJanet，toseeifshewasreallysufficientlyinearnesttogiveawayfivehundredpoundssterlingwithastrokeofherpen。
　　LadyJanetwrotethecheckinafewseconds，andpusheditacrossthetable。
　　Grace'shungryeyesdevouredthegoldenline，"Paytomyselforbearerfivehundredpounds，"andverifiedthesignaturebeneath，"JanetRoy。"Oncesureofthemoneywhenevershechosetotakeit，thenativemeannessofhernatureinstantlyasserteditself。Shetossedherhead，andletthechecklieonthetable，withanoveractedappearanceofcaringverylittlewhethershetookitornot。
　　"YourladyshipisnottosupposethatIsnapatyourcheck，"shesaid。
　　LadyJanetleanedbackinherchairandclosedhereyes。TheverysightofGraceRoseberrysickenedher。HermindfilledsuddenlywiththeimageofMercy。Shelongedtofeasthereyesagainonthatgrandbeauty，tofillherearsagainwiththemelodyofthatgentlevoice。
　　"Irequiretimetoconsider——injusticetomyownself-respect，"Gracewenton。
　　LadyJanetwearilymadeasign，grantingtimetoconsider。
　　"Yourladyship'sboudoiris，Ipresume，stillatmydisposal？"
　　LadyJanetsilentlygrantedtheboudoir。
　　"Andyourladyship'sservantsareatmyorders，ifIhaveoccasiontoemploythem？"
　　LadyJanetsuddenlyopenedhereyes。"Thewholehouseholdisatyourorders，"shecried，furiously。"Leaveme！"
　　Gracewasfarfrombeingoffended。Ifanything，shewasgratified——therewasacertaintriumphinhavingstungLadyJanetintoanopenoutbreakoftemper。Sheinsistedforthwithonanothercondition。
　　"Intheeventofmydecidingtoreceivethecheck，"shesaid，"Icannot，consistentlywithmyownself-respect，permitittobedeliveredtomeotherwisethaninclosed。Yourladyshipwillifnecessarybesokindastoincloseit。Good-evening。"
　　Shesaunteredtothedoor，lookingfromsidetoside，withanairofsupremedisparagement，atthepricelesstreasuresofartwhichadornedthewalls。HereyesdroppedsuperciliouslyonthecarpetthedesignofafamousFrenchpainter，asifherfeetcondescendedinwalkingoverit。Theaudacitywithwhichshehadenteredtheroomhadbeenmarkedenough；itshranktonothingbeforetheinfinitelysuperiorproportionsoftheinsolencewithwhichsheleftit。
　　TheinstantthedoorwasclosedLadyJanetrosefromherchair。Recklessofthewintrychillintheouterair，shethrewopenoneofthewindows。"Pah！"sheexclaimed，withashudderofdisgust，"theveryairoftheroomistaintedbyher！"
　　Shereturnedtoherchair。Hermoodchangedasshesatdownagain——herheartwaswithMercyoncemore。"Oh，mylove！"shemurmured"howlowIhavestooped，howmiserablyIhavedegradedmyself——andallforYou！"Thebitternessoftheretrospectwasunendurable。Theinbredforceofthewoman'snaturetookrefugefromitinanoutburstofdefianceanddespair。"Whatevershehasdone，thatwretchdeservesit！Notalivingcreatureinthishouseshallsayshehasdeceivedme。Shehasnotdeceivedme——shelovesme！WhatdoIcarewhethershehasgivenmehertruenameornot！Shehasgivenmehertrueheart。WhatrighthadJuliantoplayuponherfeelingsandpryintohersecrets？Mypoor，tempted，torturedchild！Iwon'thearherconfession。Notanotherwordshallshesaytoanylivingcreature。Iammistress——Iwillforbiditatonce！"Shesnatchedasheetofnotepaperfromthecase；hesitated，andthrewitfromheronthetable。"Whynotsendformydarling？"shethought。"Whywrite？"Shehesitatedoncemore，andresignedtheidea。"No！Ican'ttrustmyself！Idaren'tseeheryet！"
　　Shetookupthesheetofpaperagain，andwrotehersecondmessagetoMercy。Thistimethenotebeganfondlywithafamiliarformofaddress。
　　"MYDEARCHILD——Ihavehadtimetothinkandcomposemyselfalittle，sinceIlastwrote，requestingyoutodefertheexplanationwhichyouhadpromisedme。Ialreadyunderstandandappreciatethemotiveswhichledyoutointerfereasyoudiddownstairs，andInowaskyoutoentirelyabandontheexplanation。Itwill，Iamsure，bepainfultoyouforreasonsofyourownintowhichIhavenowishtoinquiretoproducethepersonofwhomyouspoke，andasyouknowalready，Imyselfamwearyofhearingofher。Besides，thereisreallynoneednowforyoutoexplainanything。Thestrangerwhosevisitsherehavecausedussomuchpainandanxietywilltroubleusnomore。SheleavesEnglandofherownfreewill，afteraconversationwithmewhichhasperfectlysucceededincomposingandsatisfyingher。Notawordmore，mydear，tome，ortomynephew，ortoanyotherhumancreature，ofwhathashappenedinthedining-roomto-day。Whenwenextmeet，letitbeunderstoodbetweenusthatthepastishenceforthandforeverburiedtooblivion。Thisisnotonlytheearnestrequest——itis，ifnecessary，thepositivecommand，ofyourmotherandfriend，JANETROY。
　　"P。S——IshallfindopportunitiesbeforeyouleaveyourroomofspeakingseparatelytomynephewandtoHoraceHolmcroft。Youneeddreadnoembarrassment，whenyounextmeetthem。Iwillnotaskyoutoanswermynoteinwriting。Sayyestothemaidwhowillbringittoyou，andIshallknowweunderstandeachother。"
　　Aftersealingtheenvelopewhichinclosedtheselines，LadyJanetaddressedit，asusual，to"MissGraceRoseberry。"Shewasjustrisingtoringthebell，whenthemaidappearedwithamessagefromtheboudoir。Thewoman'stonesandlooksshowedplainlythatshehadbeenmadetheobjectofGrace'sinsolentself-assertionaswellashermistress。
　　"Ifyouplease，mylady，thepersondownstairswishes——"
　　LadyJanet，frowningcontemptuously，interruptedthemessageattheoutset。"Iknowwhatthepersondownstairswishes。Shehassentyouforaletterfromme？"
　　"Yes，mylady。"
　　"Anythingmore？"
　　"Shehassentoneofthemen-servants，mylady，foracab。Ifyourladyshiphadonlyheardhowshespoketohim！"
　　LadyJanetintimatedbyasignthatshewouldrathernothear。Sheatonceinclosedthecheckinanundirectedenvelope。
　　"Takethattoher，"shesaid，"andthencomebacktome。"
　　DismissingGraceRoseberryfromallfurtherconsideration，LadyJanetsat，withherlettertoMercyinherhand，reflectingonherposition，andontheeffortswhichitmightstilldemandfromher。Pursuingthistrainofthought，itnowoccurredtoherthataccidentmightbringHoraceandMercytogetheratanymoment，andthat，inHorace'spresentframeofmind，hewouldcertainlyinsistontheveryexplanationwhichitwastheforemostinterestofherlifetosuppress。Thedreadofthisdisasterwasinfullpossessionofherwhenthemaidreturned。
　　"WhereisMr。Holmcroft？"sheasked，themomentthewomanenteredtheroom。
　　"Isawhimopenthelibrarydoor，mylady，justnow，onmywayupstairs。"
　　"Washealone？"
　　"Yes，mylady。"
　　"Gotohim，andsayIwanttoseehimhereimmediately。"
　　Themaidwithdrewonherseconderrand。LadyJanetroserestlessly，andclosedtheopenwindow。HerimpatientdesiretomakesureofHoracesocompletelymasteredherthatsheleftherroom，andmetthewomaninthecorridoronherreturn。ReceivingHorace'smessageofexcuse，sheinstantlysentbacktheperemptoryrejoinder，"Saythathewillobligemetogotohim，ifbepersistsinrefusingtocometome。And，stay！"sheadded，rememberingtheundeliveredletter。"SendMissRoseberry'smaidhere；Iwanther。"
　　Leftaloneagain，LadyJanetpacedonceortwiceupanddownthecorridor——thengrewsuddenlywearyofthesightofit，andwentbacktoherroom。Thetwomaidsreturnedtogether。Oneofthem，havingannouncedHorace'ssubmission，wasdismissed。TheotherwassenttoMercy'sroomwithLadyJanet'sletter。Inaminuteortwothemessengerappearedagain，withthenewsthatshehadfoundtheroomempty。
　　"HaveyouanyideawhereMissRoseberryis？"
　　"No，mylady。"
　　LadyJanetreflectedforamoment。IfHoracepresentedhimselfwithoutanyneedlessdelay，theplaininferencewouldhethatshehadsucceededinseparatinghimfromMercy。Ifhisappearancewassuspiciouslydeferred，shedecidedonpersonallysearchingforMercyinthereceptionroomsonthelowerfloorofthehouse。
　　"Whathaveyoudonewiththeletter？"sheasked。
　　"IleftitonMissRoseberry'stable，mylady。"
　　"Verywell。Keepwithinhearingofthebell，incaseIwantyouagain。"
　　AnotherminutebroughtLadyJanet'ssuspensetoanend。Sheheardthewelcomesoundofaknockatherdoorfromaman'shand。Horacehurriedlyenteredtheroom。
　　"Whatisityouwantwithme，LadyJanet？"heinquired，notverygraciously。
　　"Sitdown，Horace，andyoushallhear。"
　　Horacedidnotaccepttheinvitation。"Excuseme，"hesaid，"ifImentionthatIamratherinahurry。"
　　"Whyareyouinahurry？"
　　"IhavereasonsforwishingtoseeGraceassoonaspossible。"
　　"AndIhavereasons，"LadyJanetrejoined，"forwishingtospeaktoyouaboutGracebeforeyouseeher；seriousreasons。Sitdown。"
　　Horacestarted。"Seriousreasons？"herepeated。"Yousurpriseme。"
　　"IshallsurpriseyoustillmorebeforeIhavedone"
　　TheireyesmetasLadyJanetansweredinthoseterms。Horaceobservedsignsofagitationinher，whichhenownoticedforthefirsttime。Hisfacedarkenedwithanexpressionofsullendistrust——andhetookthechairinsilence。
　　[NextChapter]
　　[TableofContents]TheNewMagdalen，Chapter24CHAPTERXXIV。
　　LADYJANET'SLETTER。
　　THEnarrativeleavesLadyJanetandHoraceHolmcrofttogether，andreturnstoJulianandMercyinthelibrary。
　　Anintervalpassed——alonginterval，measuredbytheimpatientreckoningofsuspense——afterthecabwhichhadtakenGraceRoseberryawayhadleftthehouse。Theminutesfollowedeachother；andstillthewarningsoundofHorace'sfootstepswasnotheardonthemarblepavementofthehall。Bycommonthoughunexpressedconsent，JulianandMercyavoidedtouchingupontheonesubjectonwhichtheywerenowbothinterestedalike。WiththeirthoughtsfixedsecretlyinvainspeculationonthenatureoftheinterviewwhichwasthentakingplaceinLadyJanet'sroom，theytriedtospeakontopicsindifferenttobothofthem——tried，andfailed，andtriedagain。Inalastandlongestpauseofsilencebetweenthem，thenexteventhappened。Thedoorfromthehallwassoftlyandsuddenlyopened。
　　WasitHorace？No——notevenyet。ThepersonwhohadopenedthedoorwasonlyMercy'smaid。
　　"Mylady'slove，miss；andwillyoupleasetoreadthisdirectly？"
　　Givinghermessageinthoseterms，thewomanproducedfromthepocketofherapronLadyJanet'ssecondlettertoMercy，withastripofpaperoddlypinnedroundtheenvelope。Mercydetachedthepaper，andfoundontheinnersidesomelinesinpencil，hurriedlywritteninLadyJanet'shand。Theyranthus。
　　"Don'tloseamomentinreadingmyletter。Andmindthis，whenH。returnstoyou——meethimfirmly：saynothing。"
　　EnlightenedbythewarningwordswhichJulianhadspokentoher，Mercywasatnolosstoplacetherightinterpretationonthosestrangelines。Insteadofimmediatelyopeningtheletter，shestoppedthemaidatthelibrarydoor。Julian'ssuspicionofthemosttriflingeventsthatweretakingplaceinthehousehadfounditswayfromhismindtohers。"Wait！"shesaid。"Idon'tunderstandwhatisgoingonupstairs；Iwanttoaskyousomething。"
　　Thewomancameback——notverywillingly。
　　"HowdidyouknowIwashere？"Mercyinquired。
　　"Ifyouplease，miss，herladyshiporderedmetotakethelettertoyousomelittletimesince。Youwerenotinyourroom，andIleftitonyourtable。"
　　"Iunderstandthat。Buthowcameyoutobringtheletterhere？"
　　"Myladyrangforme，miss。BeforeIcouldknockatherdoorshecameoutintothecorridorwiththatmorselofpaperinherhand——"
　　"Soastokeepyoufromenteringherroom？"
　　"Yes，miss。Herladyshipwroteonthepaperinagreathurry，andtoldmetopinitroundtheletterthatIhadleftinyourroom。Iwastotakethembothtogethertoyou，andtoletnobodyseeme。'YouwillfindMissRoseberryinthelibrary'herladyshipsays，'andrun，run，run！thereisn'tamomenttolose！'Thosewereherownwords，miss。"
　　"DidyouhearanythingintheroombeforeLadyJanetcameoutandmetyou？"
　　Thewomanhesitated，andlookedatJulian。
　　"IhardlyknowwhetherIoughttotellyou，miss。"
　　Julianturnedawaytoleavethelibrary。Mercystoppedhimbyamotionofherhand。
　　"YouknowthatIshallnotgetyouintoanytrouble，"shesaidtothemaid。"AndyoumayspeakquitesafelybeforeMr。JulianGray。"
　　Thusre-assured，themaidspoke。
　　"Toownthetruth，miss，IheardMr。Holmcroftinmylady'sroom。Hisvoicesoundedasifhewasangry。Imaysaytheywerebothangry——Mr。Holmcroftandmylady。"SheturnedtoJulian。"Andjustbeforeherladyshipcameout，sir，Iheardyourname，asifitwasyoutheywerehavingwordsabout。Ican'tsayexactlywhatitwas；Ihadn'ttimetohear。AndIdidn'tlisten，miss；thedoorwasajar；andthevoicesweresoloudnobodycouldhelphearingthem。"
　　Itwasuselesstodetainthewomananylonger。Havinggivenherleavetowithdraw，MercyturnedtoJulian。
　　"Whyweretheyquarrelingaboutyou？"sheasked。
　　Julianpointedtotheunopenedletterinherhand。
　　"Theanswertoyourquestionmaybethere，"hesaid。"Readtheletterwhileyouhavethechance。AndifIcanadviseyou，saysoatonce。"
　　Withastrangereluctancesheopenedtheenvelope。WithasinkingheartshereadthelinesinwhichLadyJanet，as"motherandfriend，"commandedherabsolutelytosuppresstheconfessionwhichshehadpledgedherselftomakeinthesacredinterestsofjusticeandtruth。Alowcryofdespairescapedher，asthecruelcomplicationinherpositionrevealeditselfinallitsunmeritedhardship。"Oh，LadyJanet，LadyJanet！"shethought，"therewasbutonetrialmoreleftinmyhardlot——anditcomestomefromyou！"
　　ShehandedthelettertoJulian。Hetookitfromherinsilence。Hispalecomplexionturnedpalerstillashereadit。Hiseyesrestedonhercompassionatelyashehandeditback。
　　"Tomymind，"hesaid，"LadyJanetherselfsetsallfurtherdoubtatrest。HerlettertellsmewhatshewantedwhenshesentforHorace，andwhymynamewasmentionedbetweenthem。"
　　"Tellme！"criedMercy，eagerly。
　　Hedidnotimmediatelyanswerher。Hesatdownagaininthechairbyherside，andpointedtotheletter。
　　"HasLadyJanetshakenyourresolution？"heasked。
　　"Shehasstrengthenedmyresolution，"Mercyanswered。"Shehasaddedanewbitternesstomyremorse。"
　　Shedidnotmeanitharshly，butthereplysoundedharshlyinJulian'sears。Itstirredthegenerousimpulses，whichwerethestrongestimpulsesinhisnature。HewhohadoncepleadedwithMercyforcompassionateconsiderationforherselfnowpleadedwithherforcompassionateconsiderationforLadyJanet。Withpersuasivegentlenesshedrewalittlenearer，andlaidhishandonherarm。
　　"Don'tjudgeherharshly，"hesaid。"Sheiswrong，miserablywrong。Shehasrecklesslydegradedherself；shehasrecklesslytemptedyou。Still，isitgenerous——isitevenjust——toholdherresponsiblefordeliberatesin？Sheisatthecloseofherdays；shecanfeelnonewaffection；shecanneverreplaceyou。Viewherpositioninthatlight，andyouwillseeasIseethatitisnobasemotivewhichhasledherastray。Thinkofherwoundedheartandherwastedlife——andsaytoyourselfforgivingly，Shelovesme！"
　　Mercy'seyesfilledwithtears。
　　"Idosayit！"sheanswered。"Notforgivingly——itisIwhohaveneedofforgiveness。IsayitgratefullywhenIthinkofher——IsayitwithshameandsorrowwhenIthinkofmyself。"
　　Hetookherhandforthefirsttime。Helooked，guiltlesslylooked，atherdowncastface。Hespokeashehadspokenatthememorableinterviewbetweenthemwhichhadmadeanewwomanofher。
　　"Icanimaginenocruelertrial，"hesaid，"thanthetrialthatisnowbeforeyou。Thebenefactresstowhomyouoweeverythingasksnothingfromyoubutyoursilence。Thepersonwhomyouhavewrongedisnolongerpresenttostimulateyourresolutiontospeak。HoracehimselfunlessIamentirelymistakenwillnotholdyoutotheexplanationthatyouhavepromised。Thetemptationtokeepyourfalsepositioninthishouseis，Idonotscrupletosay，allbutirresistible。Sisterandfriend！canyoustilljustifymyfaithinyou？Willyoustillownthetruth，withoutthebasefearofdiscoverytodriveyoutoit？"
　　Sheliftedherhead，withthesteadylightofresolutionshiningagaininhergrand，grayeyes。Herlow，sweetvoiceansweredhim，withoutafalteringnoteinit，"Iwill！"
　　"Youwilldojusticetothewomanwhomyouhavewronged——unworthyassheis；powerlessassheistoexposeyou？"
　　"Iwill！"
　　"Youwillsacrificeeverythingyouhavegainedbythefraudtothesacreddutyofatonement？Youwillsufferanything——eventhoughyouoffendthesecondmotherwhohaslovedyouandsinnedforyou——ratherthansufferthedegradationofyourself？"
　　Herhandclosedfirmlyonhis。Again，andforthelasttime，sheanswered，"Iwill！"
　　Hisvoicehadnottrembledyet。Itfailedhimnow。Hisnextwordswerespokeninfaintwhisperingtones——tohimself；nottoher。
　　"ThankGodforthisday！"hesaid。"IhavebeenofsomeservicetooneofthenoblestofGod'screatures！"
　　Somesubtleinfluence，ashespoke，passedfromhishandtohers。Ittrembledthroughhernerves；itentwineditselfmysteriouslywiththefinestsensibilitiesinhernature；itsoftlyopenedherhearttoafirstvaguesurmisingofthedevotionthatshehadinspiredinhim。Afaintglowofcolor，lovelyinitsfaintness，stoleoverherfaceandneck。Herbreathingquickenedtremblingly。Shedrewherhandawayfromhim，andsighedwhenshehadreleasedit。
　　Herosesuddenlytohisfeetandlefther，withoutawordoralook，walkingslowlydownthelengthoftheroom。Whenheturnedandcamebacktoher，hisfacewascomposed；hewasmasterofhimselfagain。
　　Mercywasthefirsttospeak。SheturnedtheconversationfromherselfbyrevertingtotheproceedingsinLadyJanet'sroom。
　　"YouspokeofHoracejustnow，"shesaid，"intermswhichsurprisedme。Youappearedtothinkthathewouldnotholdmetomyexplanation。IsthatoneoftheconclusionswhichyoudrawfromLadyJanet'sletter？"
　　"Mostassuredly，"Juliananswered。"YouwillseetheconclusionasIseeitifwereturnforamomenttoGraceRoseberry'sdeparturefromthehouse。"
　　Mercyinterruptedhimthere。"Canyouguess，"sheasked，"howLadyJanetprevaileduponhertogo？"
　　"Ihardlyliketoownit，"saidJulian。"ThereisanexpressionintheletterwhichsuggeststomethatLadyJanethasofferedhermoney，andthatshehastakenthebribe。"
　　"Oh，Ican'tthinkthat！"
　　"LetusreturntoHorace。MissRoseberryonceoutofthehouse，butoneseriousobstacleisleftinLadyJanet'sway。ThatobstacleisHoraceHolmcroft。"
　　"HowisHoraceanobstacle？"
　　"Heisanobstacleinthissense。Heisunderanengagementtomarryyouinaweek'stime；andLadyJanetisdeterminedtokeephimassheisdeterminedtokeepeveryoneelseinignoranceofthetruth。Shewilldothatwithoutscruple。Buttheinbredsenseofhonorinherisnotutterlysilencedyet。Shecannot，shedarenot，letHoracemakeyouhiswifeunderthefalseimpressionthatyouareColonelRoseberry'sdaughter。Youseethesituation？Ontheonehand，shewon'tenlightenhim。Ontheotherhand，shecannotallowhimtomarryyoublindfold。Inthisemergencywhatisshetodo？ThereisbutonealternativethatIcandiscover。ShemustpersuadeHoraceorshemustirritateHoraceintoactingforhimself，andbreakingofftheengagementonhisownresponsibility。"
　　Mercystoppedhim。"Impossible！"shecried，warmly。"Impossible！"
　　"Lookagainatherletter，"Julianrejoined。"Ittells，youplainlythatyouneedfearnoembarrassmentwhenyounextmeetHorace。Ifwordsmeananything，thosewordsmeanthathewillnotclaimfromyoutheconfidencewhichyouhavepromisedtoreposeinhim。Onwhatconditionisitpossibleforhimtoabstainfromdoingthat？Ontheoneconditionthatyouhaveceasedtorepresentthefirstandforemostinterestofhislife。"
　　Mercystillheldfirm。"YouarewrongingLadyJanet，"shesaid。
　　Juliansmiledsadly。
　　"Trytolookatit，"heanswered，"fromLadyJanet'spointofview。Doyousupposesheseesanythingderogatorytoherinattemptingtobreakoffthemarriage？Iwillanswerforit，shebelievessheisdoingyouakindness。Inonesenseitwouldbeakindnesstospareyoutheshameofahumiliatingconfession，andtosaveyoupossiblyfrombeingrejectedtoyourfacebythemanyoulove。Inmyopinion，thethingisdonealready。Ihavereasonsofmyownforbelievingthatmyauntwillsucceedfarmoreeasilythanshecouldanticipate。Horace'stemperwillhelpher。"
　　Mercy'smindbegantoyieldtohim，inspiteofherself。
　　"WhatdoyoumeanbyHorace'stemper？"sheinquired。
　　"Mustyouaskmethat？"hesaid，drawingbackalittlefromher。
　　"Imust。"
　　"ImeanbyHorace'stemper，Horace'sunworthydistrustoftheinterestthatIfeelinyou。"
　　Sheinstantlyunderstoodhim。Andmorethanthat，shesecretlyadmiredhimforthescrupulousdelicacywithwhichhehadexpressedhimself。Anothermanwouldnothavethoughtofsparingherinthatway。Anothermanwouldhavesaid，plainly，"Horaceisjealousofme。"
　　Juliandidnotwaitforhertoanswerhim。Heconsideratelywenton。
　　"ForthereasonthatIhavejustmentioned，"hesaid，"Horacewillbeeasilyirritatedintotakingacoursewhich，inhiscalmermoments，nothingwouldinducehimtoadopt。UntilIheardwhatyourmaidsaidtoyouIhadthoughtforyoursakeofretiringbeforehejoinedyouhere。NowIknowthatmynamehasbeenintroduced，andhasmademischiefupstairs，IfeelthenecessityforyoursakeagainofmeetingHoraceandhistemperfacetofacebeforeyouseehim。Letme，ifIcan，preparehimtohearyouwithoutanyangryfeelinginhismindtowardyou。Doyouobjecttoretiretothenextroomforafewminutesintheeventofhiscomingbacktothelibrary？"
　　Mercy'scourageinstantlyrosewiththeemergency。Sherefusedtoleavethetwomentogether。
　　"Don'tthinkmeinsensibletoyourkindness，"shesaid。"IfIleaveyouwithHoraceImayexposeyoutoinsult。Irefusetodothat。Whatmakesyoudoubthiscomingback？"
　　"Hisprolongedabsencemakesmedoubtit，"Julianreplied。"Inmybelief，themarriageisbrokenoff。HemaygoasGraceRoseberryhasgone。Youmayneverseehimagain。"
　　Theinstanttheopinionwasuttered，itwaspracticallycontradictedbythemanhimself。Horaceopenedthelibrarydoor。
　　[NextChapter]
　　[TableofContents]TheNewMagdalen，Chapter25CHAPTERXXV。
　　THECONFESSION
　　HEstoppedjustinsidethedoor。HisfirstlookwasforMercy；hisissecondlookwasforJulian。
　　"Iknewit！"hesaid，withanassumptionofsardoniccomposure。"IfIcouldonlyhavepersuadedLadyJanettobet，Ishouldhavewonahundredpounds。"HeadvancedtoJulian，withasuddenchangefromironytoanger。"Wouldyouliketohearwhatthebetwas？"heasked。
　　"Ishouldpreferseeingyouabletocontrolyourselfinthepresenceofthislady，"Juliananswered，quietly。
　　"IofferedtolayLadyJanettwohundredpoundstoone，"Horaceproceeded，"thatIshouldfindyouhere，makinglovetoMissRoseberrybehindmyback。"
　　MercyinterferedbeforeJuliancouldreply。
　　"Ifyoucannotspeakwithoutinsultingoneofus，"shesaid，"permitmetorequestthatyouwillnotaddressyourselftoMr。JulianGray。"
　　Horacebowedtoherwithamockeryofrespect。
　　"Praydon'talarmyourself——Iampledgedtobescrupulouslyciviltobothofyou，"hesaid。"LadyJanetonlyallowedmetoleaveheronconditionofmypromisingtobehavewithperfectpoliteness。WhatelsecanIdo？Ihavetwoprivilegedpeopletodealwith——aparsonandawoman。Theparson'sprofessionprotectshim，andthewoman'ssexprotectsher。Youhavegotmeatadisadvantage，andyoubothofyouknowit。IbegtoapologizeifIhaveforgottentheclergyman'sprofessionandthelady'ssex。"
　　"Youhaveforgottenmorethanthat，"saidJulian。"Youhaveforgottenthatyouwerebornagentlemanandbredamanofhonor。SofarasIamconcerned，Idon'taskyoutorememberthatIamaclergyman——Iobtrudemyprofessiononnobody——Ionlyaskyoutorememberyourbirthandyourbreeding。Itisquitebadenoughtocruellyandunjustlysuspectanoldfriendwhohasneverforgottenwhatheowestoyouandtohimself。Butitisstillmoreunworthyofyoutoacknowledgethosesuspicionsinthehearingofawomanwhomyourownchoicehasdoublyboundyoutorespect。"
　　Hestopped。Thetwoeyedeachotherforamomentinsilence。
　　ItwasimpossibleforMercytolookatthem，asshewaslookingnow，withoutdrawingtheinevitablecomparisonbetweenthemanlyforceanddignityofJulianandthewomanishmaliceandirritabilityofHorace。Alastfaithfulimpulseofloyaltytowardthemantowhomshehadbeenbetrothedimpelledhertopartthem，beforeHoracehadhopelesslydegradedhimselfinherestimationbycontrastwithJulian。
　　"Youhadbetterwaittospeaktome，"shesaidtohim，"untilwearealone。"
　　"Certainly，"Horaceansweredwithasneer，"ifMr。JulianGraywillpermitit。"
　　MercyturnedtoJulian，withalookwhichsaidplainly，"Pityusboth，andleaveus！"
　　"Doyouwishmetogo？"heasked。
　　"Addtoallyourotherkindnessestome，"sheanswered。"Waitformeinthatroom。"
　　Shepointedtothedoorthatledintothedining-room。Julianhesitated。
　　"YoupromisetoletmeknowitifIcanbeofthesmallestservicetoyou？"hesaid。
　　"Yes，yes！"Shefollowedhimashewithdrew，andadded，rapidly，inawhisper，"Leavethedoorajar！"
　　Hemadenoanswer。AsshereturnedtoHoraceheenteredthedining-room。Theoneconcessionhecouldmaketoherhedidmake。Heclosedthedoorsonoiselesslythatnotevenherquickhearingcoulddetectthathehadshutit。
　　MercyspoketoHorace，withoutwaitingtolethimspeakfirst。
　　"Ihavepromisedyouanexplanationofmyconduct，"shesaid，inaccentsthattrembledalittleinspiteofherself。"Iamreadytoperformmypromise。"
　　"Ihaveaquestiontoaskyoubeforeyoudothat，"herejoined。"Canyouspeakthetruth？"
　　"Iamwaitingtospeakthetruth。"
　　"Iwillgiveyouanopportunity。AreyouorareyounotinlovewithJulianGray？"
　　"Yououghttobeashamedtoaskthequestion！"
　　"Isthatyouronlyanswer？"
　　"Ihaveneverbeenunfaithfultoyou，Horace，eveninthought。IfIhadnotbeentruetoyou，shouldIfeelmypositionasyouseeIfeelitnow？"
　　Hesmiledbitterly。"Ihavemyownopinionofyourfidelityandofhishonor，"hesaid。"Youcouldn'tevensendhimintothenextroomwithoutwhisperingtohimfirst。Nevermindthatnow。AtleastyouknowthatJulianGrayisinlovewithyou。"
　　"Mr。JulianGrayhasneverbreathedawordofittome。"
　　"Amancanshowawomanthathelovesher，withoutsayingitinwords。"
　　Mercy'spowerofendurancebegantofailher。NotevenGraceRoseberryhadspokenmoreinsultinglytoherofJulianthanHoracewasspeakingnow。"WhoeversaysthatofMr。JulianGray，lies！"sheanswered，warmly。
　　"ThenLadyJanetlies，"Horaceretorted。
　　"LadyJanetneversaidit！LadyJanetisincapableofsayingit！"
　　"Shemaynothavesaiditinsomanywords；butsheneverdenieditwhenIsaidit。IremindedherofthetimewhenJulianGrayfirstheardfrommethatIwasgoingtomarryyou：hewassooverwhelmedthathewasbarelycapableofbeingciviltome。LadyJanetwaspresent，andcouldnotdenyit。Iaskedherifshehadobserved，sincethen，signsofaconfidentialunderstandingbetweenyoutwo。Shecouldnotdenythesigns。Iaskedifshehadeverfoundyoutwotogether。Shecouldnotdenythatshehadfoundyoutogether，thisveryday，undercircumstanceswhichjustifiedsuspicion。Yes！yes！Lookasangryasyoulike！youdon'tknowwhathasbeengoingonupstairs。LadyJanetisbentonbreakingoffourengagement——andJulianGrayisatthebottomofit。"
　　AstoJulian，Horacewasutterlywrong。ButastoLadyJanet，heechoedthewarningwordswhichJulianhimselfhadspokentoMercy。Shewasstaggered，butshestillheldtoherownopinion。"Idon'tbelieveit，"shesaid，firmly。