Mercylookedatherquicklyassheputthequestion。
　　LadyJanet，morequicklyyet，lookedawayattheprogrammeoftheopera-house。Stillthesamemelancholyfalsepretenses！stillthesameuselessandcrueldelay！Incapableofenduringthepositionnowforceduponher，Mercyputherhandintothepocketofherapron，anddrewfromitLadyJanet'sletter。
　　"Willyourladyshipforgiveme，"shebegan，infaint，falteringtones，"ifIventureonapainfulsubject？Ihardlydareacknowledge——"Inspiteofherresolutiontospeakoutplainly，thememoryofpastloveandpastkindnessprevailedwithher；thenextwordsdiedawayonherlips。Shecouldonlyholduptheletter。
　　LadyJanetdeclinedtoseetheletter。LadyJanetsuddenlybecameabsorbedinthearrangementofherbracelets。
　　"Iknowwhatyoudaren'tacknowledge，youfoolishchild！"sheexclaimed。"Youdaren'tacknowledgethatyouaretiredofthisdullhouse。Mydear！Iamentirelyofyouropinion——Iamwearyofmyownmagnificence；Ilongtobelivinginonesnuglittleroom，withoneservanttowaitonme。I'lltellyouwhatwewilldo。WewillgotoParis，inthefirstplace。MyexcellentMigliore，princeofcouriers，shallbetheonlypersoninattendance。HeshalltakealodgingforusinoneoftheunfashionablequartersofParis。Wewillroughit，Gracetousetheslangphrase，merelyforachange。Wewillleadwhattheycalla'Bohemianlife。'IknowplentyofwritersandpaintersandactorsinParis——theliveliestsocietyintheworld，mydear，untilonegetstiredofthem。Wewilldineattherestaurant，andgototheplay，anddriveaboutinshabbylittlehiredcarriages。Andwhenitbeginstogetmonotonouswhichitisonlytoosuretodo！wewillspreadourwingsandflytoItaly，andcheatthewinterinthatway。Thereisaplanforyou！Miglioreisintown。Iwillsendtohimthisevening，andwewillstartto-morrow。"
　　Mercymadeanothereffort。
　　"Ientreatyourladyshiptopardonme，"sheresumed。"Ihavesomethingserioustosay。Iamafraid——"
　　"Iunderstand。YouareafraidofcrossingtheChannel，andyoudon'tliketoacknowledgeit。Pooh！Thepassagebarelylaststwohours；wewillshutourselvesupinaprivatecabin。Iwillsendatonce——thecouriermaybeengaged。Ringthebell。"
　　"LadyJanet，Imustsubmittomyhardlot。Icannothopetoassociatemyselfagainwithanyfutureplansofyours——"
　　"What！youareafraidofour'Bohemianlife'inParis？Observethis，Grace！IfthereisonethingIhatemorethananother，itis'anoldheadonyoungshoulders。'Isaynomore。Ringthebell。"
　　"Thiscannotgoon，LadyJanet！NowordscansayhowunworthyIfeelofyourkindness，howashamedIam——"
　　"Uponmyhonor，mydear，Iagreewithyou。Yououghttobeashamed，atyourage，ofmakingmegetuptoringthebell。"
　　Herobstinacywasimmovable；sheattemptedtorisefromthecouch。ButonechoicewaslefttoMercy。SheanticipatedLadyJanet，andrangthebell。
　　Theman-servantcamein。Hehadhislittleletter-trayinhishand，withacardonit，andasheetofpaperbesidethecard，whichlookedlikeanopenletter。
　　"YouknowwheremycourierliveswhenheisinLondon？'askedLadyJanet。
　　"Yes，mylady。"
　　"Sendoneofthegroomstohimonhorseback；Iaminahurry。Thecourieristocomeherewithoutfailto-morrowmorning——intimeforthetidaltraintoParis。Youunderstand？"
　　"Yes，mylady。"
　　"Whathaveyougotthere？Anythingforme？"
　　"ForMissRoseberry，mylady。"
　　Asheanswered，themanhandedthecardandtheopenlettertoMercy。
　　"Theladyiswaitinginthemorning-room，miss。Shewishedmetosayshehastimetospare，andshewillwaitforyouifyouarenotreadyyet。"
　　Havingdeliveredhismessageinthoseterms，hewithdrew。
　　Mercyreadthenameonthecard。Thematronhadarrived！Shelookedattheletternext。Itappearedtobeaprintedcircular，withsomelinesinpenciladdedontheemptypage。Printedlinesandwrittenlinesswambeforehereyes。Shefelt，ratherthansaw，LadyJanet'sattentionsteadilyandsuspiciouslyfixedonher。Withthematron'sarrivaltheforedoomedendoftheflimsyfalsepretensesandthecrueldelayshadcome。
　　"Afriendofyours，mydear？"
　　"Yes，LadyJanet。"
　　"AmIacquaintedwithher？"
　　"Ithinknot，LadyJanet。"
　　"Youappeartobeagitated。Doesyourvisitorbringbadnews？IsthereanythingthatIcandoforyou？"
　　"Youcanadd——immeasurablyadd，madam——toallyourpastkindness，ifyouwillonlybearwithmeandforgiveme。"
　　"Bearwithyouandforgiveyou？Idon'tunderstand。"
　　"Iwilltrytoexplain。Whateverelseyoumaythinkofme，LadyJanet，forGod'ssakedon'tthinkmeungrateful！"
　　LadyJanetheldupherhandforsilence。
　　"Idislikeexplanations，"shesaid，sharply。"Nobodyoughttoknowthatbetterthanyou。Perhapsthelady'sletterwillexplainforyou。Whyhaveyounotlookedatityet？"
　　"Iamingreattrouble，madam，asyounoticedjustnow——"
　　"Haveyouanyobjectiontomyknowingwhoyourvisitoris？"
　　"No，LadyJanet。"
　　"Letmelookathercard，then。"
　　Mercygavethematron'scardtoLadyJanet，asshehadgiventhematron'stelegramtoHorace。
　　LadyJanetreadthenameonthecard——considered——decidedthatitwasanamequiteunknowntoher——andlookednextattheaddress："WesternDistrictRefuge，MilburnRoad。"
　　"AladyconnectedwithaRefuge？"shesaid，speakingtoherself；"andcallingherebyappointment——ifIremembertheservant'smessage？Astrangetimetochoose，ifshehascomeforasubscription！"
　　Shepaused。Herbrowcontracted；herfacehardened。Awordfromherwouldnowhavebroughttheinterviewtoitsinevitableend，andsherefusedtospeaktheword。Tothelastmomentshepersistedinignoringthetruth！Placingthecardonthecouchatherside，shepointedwithherlongyellow-whiteforefingertotheprintedletterlyingsidebysidewithherownletteronMercy'slap。
　　"Doyoumeantoreadit，ornot？"sheasked。
　　Mercyliftedhereyes，fastfillingwithtears，toLadyJanet'sface。
　　"MayIbegthatyourladyshipwillreaditforme？"shesaid——andplacedthematron'sletterinLadyJanet'shand。
　　ItwasaprintedcircularannouncinganewdevelopmentinthecharitableworkoftheRefuge。Subscriberswereinformedthatithadbeendecidedtoextendtheshelterandthetrainingoftheinstitutionthusfardevotedtofallenwomenalonesoastoincludedestituteandhelplesschildrenfoundwanderinginthestreets。Thequestionofthenumberofchildrentobethusrescuedandprotectedwasleftdependent，asamatterofcourse，onthebountyofthefriendsoftheRefuge，thecostofthemaintenanceofeachchildbeingstatedatthelowestpossiblerate。Alistofinfluentialpersonswhohadincreasedtheirsubscriptionssoastocoverthecost，andabriefstatementoftheprogressalreadymadewiththenewwork，completedtheappeal，andbroughtthecirculartoitsend。
　　Thelinestracedinpencilinthematron'shandwritingfollowedontheblankpage。
　　"Yourlettertellsme，mydear，thatyouwouldlike——rememberingyourownchildhood——tobeemployedwhenyoureturnamongusinsavingotherpoorchildrenlefthelplessontheworld。OurcircularwillinformyouthatIamabletomeetyourwishes。Myfirsterrandthiseveninginyourneighborhoodwastotakechargeofapoorchild——alittlegirl——whostandssadlyinneedofourcare。Ihaveventuredtobringherwithme，thinkingshemighthelptoreconcileyoutothecomingchangeinyourlife。Youwillfindusbothwaitingtogobackwithyoutotheoldhome。Iwritethisinsteadofsayingit，hearingfromtheservantthatyouarenotalone，andbeingunwillingtointrudemyself，asastranger，ontheladyofthehouse。"
　　LadyJanetreadthepenciledlines，asshehadreadtheprintedsentences，aloud。Withoutawordofcommentshelaidtheletterwhereshehadlaidthecard；and，risingfromherseat，stoodforamomentinsternsilence，lookingatMercy。Thesuddenchangeinherwhichtheletterhadproduced——quietlyasithadtakenplace——wasterribletosee。Onthefrowningbrow，intheflashingeyes，onthehardenedlips，outragedloveandoutragedpridelookeddownonthelostwoman，andsaid，asifinwords，Youhaverousedusatlast。
　　"Ifthatlettermeansanything，"shesaid，"itmeansyouareabouttoleavemyhouse。Therecanbebutonereasonforyourtakingsuchastepasthat。"
　　"ItistheonlyatonementIcanmake，madam"
　　"Iseeanotherletteronyourlap。Isitmyletter？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Haveyoureadit？"
　　"Ihavereadit。"
　　"HaveyouseenHoraceHolmcroft？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"HaveyoutoldHoraceHolmcroft——"
　　"Oh，LadyJanet——"
　　"Don'tinterruptme。HaveyoutoldHoraceHolmcroftwhatmyletterpositivelyforbadeyoutocommunicate，eithertohimortoanylivingcreature？Iwantnoprotestationsandexcuses。Answermeinstantly，andanswerinoneword——Yes，orNo。"
　　Noteventhathaughtylanguage，noteventhosepitilesstones，couldextinguishinMercy'sheartthesacredmemoriesofpastkindnessandpastlove。Shefellonherknees——heroutstretchedhandstouchedLadyJanet'sdress。LadyJanetsharplydrewherdressaway，andsternlyrepeatedherlastwords。
　　"Yes？orNo？"
　　"Yes。"
　　Shehadowneditatlast！TothisendLadyJanethadsubmittedtoGraceRoseberry；hadoffendedHoraceHolmcroft；hadstooped，forthefirsttimeinherlife，toconcealmentsandcompromisesthatdegradedher。Afterallthatshehadsacrificedandsuffered，thereMercykneltatherfeet，self-convictedofviolatinghercommands，tramplingonherfeelings，desertingherhouse！Andwhowasthewomanwhohaddonethis？Thesamewomanwhohadperpetratedthefraud，andwhohadpersistedinthefrauduntilherbenefactresshaddescendedtobecomeheraccomplice。Then，andthenonly，shehadsuddenlydiscoveredthatitwashersacreddutytotellthetruth！
　　Inproudsilencethegreatladymettheblowthathadfallenonher。Inproudsilencesheturnedherbackonheradopteddaughterandwalkedtothedoor。
　　Mercymadeherlastappealtothekindfriendwhomshehadoffended——tothesecondmotherwhomshehadloved。
　　"LadyJanet！LadyJanet！Don'tleavemewithoutaword。Oh，madam，trytofeelformealittle！Iamreturningtoalifeofhumiliation——theshadowofmyolddisgraceisfallingonmeoncemore。Weshallnevermeetagain。EventhoughIhavenotdeservedit，letmyrepentancepleadwithyou！Sayyouforgiveme！"
　　LadyJanetturnedroundonthethresholdofthedoor。
　　"Ineverforgiveingratitude，"shesaid。"GobacktotheRefuge。"
　　Thedooropenedandclosedonher。Mercywasaloneagainintheroom。
　　UnforgivenbyHorace，unforgivenbyLadyJanet！Sheputherhandstoherburningheadandtriedtothink。Oh，forthecoolairofthenight！Oh，forthefriendlyshelteroftheRefuge！Shecouldfeelthosesadlongingsinher：itwasimpossibletothink。
　　Sherangthebell——andshrankbacktheinstantshehaddoneit。Hadsheanyrighttotakethatliberty？Sheoughttohavethoughtofitbeforesherang。Habit——allhabit。HowmanyhundredsoftimesshehadrungthebellatMablethorpeHouse！
　　Theservantcamein。Sheamazedtheman——shespoketohimsotimidly：sheevenapologizedfortroublinghim！
　　"Iamsorrytodisturbyou。WillyoubesokindastosaytotheladythatIamreadyforher？"
　　"Waittogivethatmessage，"saidavoicebehindthem，"untilyouhearthebellrungagain。"
　　Mercylookedroundinamazement。Julianhadreturnedtothelibrarybythedining-roomdoor。
　　[NextChapter]
　　[TableofContents]TheNewMagdalen，Chapter29CHAPTERXXIX。
　　THELASTTRIAL。
　　THEservantleftthemtogether。Mercyspokefirst。
　　"Mr。Gray！"sheexclaimed，"whyhaveyoudelayedmymessage？Ifyouknewall，youwouldknowthatitisfarfrombeingakindnesstometokeepmeinthishouse。"
　　Headvancedclosertoher——surprisedbyherwords，alarmedbyherlooks。
　　"Hasanyonebeenhereinmyabsence？"heasked。
　　"LadyJanethasbeenhereinyourabsence。Ican'tspeakofit——myheartfeelscrushed——Icanbearnomore。Letmego！"
　　Brieflyasshehadreplied，shehadsaidenough。Julian'sknowledgeofLadyJanet'scharactertoldhimwhathadhappened。Hisfaceshowedplainlythathewasdisappointedaswellasdistressed。
　　"Ihadhopedtohavebeenwithyouwhenyouandmyauntmet，andtohavepreventedthis，"hesaid。"Believeme，shewillatoneforallthatshemayhaveharshlyandhastilydonewhenshehashadtimetothink。Trynottoregretit，ifshehasmadeyourhardsacrificeharderstill。Shehasonlyraisedyouthehigher——shehasadditionallyennobledyouandendearedyouinmyestimation。ForgivemeifIownthisinplainwords。Icannotcontrolmyself——Ifeeltoostrongly。"
　　AtothertimesMercymighthaveheardthecomingavowalinhistones，mighthavediscovereditinhiseyes。Asitwas，herdelicateinsightwasdulled，herfineperceptionwasblunted。Sheheldoutherhandtohim，feelingavagueconvictionthathewaskindertoherthanever——andfeelingnomore。
　　"Imustthankyouforthelasttime，"shesaid。"Aslongaslifeisleft，mygratitudewillbeapartofmylife。Letmego。WhileIcanstillcontrolmyself，letmego！"
　　Shetriedtoleavehim，andringthebell。Heheldherhandfirmly，anddrewherclosertohim。
　　"TotheRefuge？"heasked。
　　"Yes，"shesaid。"Homeagain！"
　　"Don'tsaythat！"heexclaimed。"Ican'tbeartohearit。Don'tcalltheRefugeyourhome！"
　　"Whatelseisit？WhereelsecanIgo？"
　　"Ihavecomeheretotellyou。Isaid，ifyouremember，Ihadsomethingtopropose。"
　　Shefelttheferventpressureofhishand；shesawthemountingenthusiasmflashinginhiseyes。Herwearymindrouseditselfalittle。Shebegantotrembleundertheelectricinfluenceofhistouch。
　　"Somethingtopropose？"sherepeated，"Whatistheretopropose？"
　　"Letmeaskyouaquestiononmyside。Whathaveyoudoneto-day？"
　　"YouknowwhatIhavedone：itisyourwork，"sheanswered，humbly。"Whyreturntoitnow？"
　　"Ireturntoitforthelasttime；Ireturntoitwithapurposewhichyouwillsoonunderstand。Youhaveabandonedyourmarriageengagement；youhaveforfeitedLadyJanet'slove；youhaveruinedallyourworldlyprospects；youarenowreturning，self-devoted，toalifewhichyouhaveyourselfdescribedasalifewithouthope。Andallthisyouhavedoneofyourownfree-will——atatimewhenyouareabsolutelysecureofyourpositioninthehouse——forthesakeofspeakingthetruth。Nowtellme，isawomanwhocanmakethatsacrificeawomanwhowillproveunworthyofthetrustifamanplacesinherkeepinghishonorandhisname？"
　　Sheunderstoodhimatlast。Shebrokeawayfromhimwithacry。Shestoodwithherhandsclasped，tremblingandlookingathim。
　　Hegavehernotimetothink。Thewordspouredfromhislipswithoutconsciouswillorconsciouseffortofhisown。
　　"Mercy，fromthefirstmomentwhenIsawyouIlovedyou！Youarefree；Imayownit；Imayaskyoutobemywife！"
　　Shedrewbackfromhimfurtherandfurther，withawildimploringgestureofherhand。
　　"No！no！"shecried。"Thinkofwhatyouaresaying！thinkofwhatyouwouldsacrifice！Itcannot，mustnotbe。"
　　Hisfacedarkenedwithasuddendread。Hisheadfellonhisbreast。Hisvoicesanksolowthatshecouldbarelyhearit。
　　"Ihadforgottensomething，"hesaid。"You'veremindedmeofit。"
　　Sheventuredbackalittlenearertohim。"HaveIoffendedyou？"
　　Hesmiledsadly。"Youhaveenlightenedme。Ihadforgottenthatitdoesn'tfollow，becauseIloveyou，thatyoushouldlovemeinreturn。Saythatitisso，Mercy，andIleaveyou。"
　　Afainttingeofcolorroseonherface——thenleftitagainpalerthanever。Hereyeslookeddownwardtimidlyundertheeagergazethathefastenedonher。
　　"HowcanIsayso？"sheanswered，simply。Whereisthewomaninmyplacewhoseheartcouldresistyou？"
　　Heeagerlyadvanced；heheldouthisarmstoherinbreathless，speechlessjoy。Shedrewbackfromhimoncemorewithalookthathorrifiedhim——alookofblankdespair。
　　"AmIfittobeyourwife？"sheasked。"MustIremindyouofwhatyouowetoyourhighposition，yourspotlessintegrity，yourfamousname？Thinkofallthatyouhavedoneforme，andthenthinkoftheblackingratitudeofitifIruinyouforlifebyconsentingtoourmarriage——ifIselfishly，cruelly，wickedly，dragyoudowntothelevelofawomanlikeme！"
　　"IraiseyoutomylevelwhenImakeyoumywife，"heanswered。"ForHeaven'ssakedomejustice！Don'trefermetotheworldanditsopinions。Itrestswithyou，andyoualone，tomakethemiseryorthehappinessofmylife。Theworld！GoodGod！whatcantheworldgivemeinexchangeforYou？'
　　Sheclaspedherhandsimploringly；thetearsflowedfastoverhercheeks。
　　"Oh，havepityonmyweakness！"shecried。"Kindest，bestofmen，helpmetodomyharddutytowardyou！Itissohard，afterallthatIhavesuffered——whenmyheartisyearningforpeaceandhappinessandlove！"Shecheckedherself，shudderingatthewordsthathadescapedher。"RememberhowMr。Holmcrofthasusedme！RememberhowLadyJanethasleftme！RememberwhatIhavetoldyouofmylife！Thescornofeverycreatureyouknowwouldstrikeatyouthroughme。No！no！no！Notawordmore。Spareme！pityme！leaveme！"
　　Hervoicefailedher；sobschokedherutterance。Hesprangtoherandtookherinhisarms。Shewasincapableofresistinghim；buttherewasnoyieldinginher。Herheadlayonhisbosom，passive——horriblypassive，liketheheadofacorpse。
　　"Mercy！Mydarling！Wewillgoaway——wewillleaveEngland——wewilltakerefugeamongnewpeopleinanewworld——Iwillchangemyname——Iwillbreakwithrelatives，friends，everybody。Anything，anything，ratherthanloseyou！"
　　Sheliftedherheadslowlyandlookedathim。
　　Hesuddenlyreleasedher；hereeledbacklikeamanstaggeredbyablow，anddroppedintoachair。Beforeshehadutteredawordhesawtheterribleresolutioninherface——Death，ratherthanyieldtoherownweaknessanddisgracehim。
　　Shestoodwithherhandslightlyclaspedinfrontofher。Hergrandheadwasraised；hersoftgrayeyesshoneagainundimmedbytears。ThestormofemotionhadsweptoverherandhadpassedawayAsadtranquillitywasinherface；agentleresignationwasinhervoice。Thecalmofamartyrwasthecalmthatconfrontedhimasshespokeherlastwords。
　　"Awomanwhohaslivedmylife，awomanwhohassufferedwhatIhavesuffered，mayloveyou——asIloveyou——butshemustnotbeyourwife。Thatplaceistoohighaboveher。Anyotherplaceistoofarbelowherandbelowyou。"Shepaused，andadvancingtothebell，gavethesignalforherdeparture。Thatdone，sheslowlyretracedherstepsuntilshestoodatJulian'sside。
　　Tenderlysheliftedhisheadandlaiditforamomentonherbosom。Silentlyshestoopedandtouchedhisforeheadwithherlips。Allthegratitudethatfilledherheartandallthesacrificethatrentitwereinthosetwoactions——somodestly，sotenderlyperformed！Asthelastlingeringpressureofherfingerslefthim，Julianburstintotears。
　　Theservantansweredthebell。Atthemomentheopenedthedoorawoman'svoicewasaudibleinthehallspeakingtohim。
　　"Letthechildgoin，"thevoicesaid。"Iwillwaithere。"
　　Thechildappeared——thesameforlornlittlecreaturewhohadremindedMercyofherownearlyyearsonthedaywhensheandHoraceHolmcrofthadbeenoutfortheirwalk。
　　Therewasnobeautyinthischild；nohaloofromancebrightenedthecommonplacehorrorofherstory。Shecamecringingintotheroom，staringstupidlyatthemagnificenceallroundher——thedaughteroftheLondonstreets！thepetcreationofthelawsofpoliticaleconomy！thesavageandterribleproductofaworn-outsystemofgovernmentandofacivilizationrottentoitscore！Cleanedforthefirsttimeinherlife，fedsufficientlyforthefirsttimeinherlife，dressedinclothesinsteadofragsforthefirsttimeinherlife，Mercy'ssisterinadversitycreptfearfullyoverthebeautifulcarpet，andstoppedwonder-struckbeforethemarblesofaninlaidtable——ablotofmudonthesplendoroftheroom。
　　MercyturnedfromJuliantomeetthechild。Thewoman'sheart，hungeringinitshorribleisolationforsomethingthatitmightharmlesslylove，welcomedtherescuedwaifofthestreetsasaconsolationsentfromGod。Shecaughtthestupefiedlittlecreatureupinherarms。"Kissme！"shewhispered，intherecklessagonyofthemoment。"Callmesister！"Thechildstared，vacantly。Sistermeantnothingtohermindbutanoldergirlwhowasstrongenoughtobeather。
　　Sheputthechilddownagain，andturnedforalastlookatthemanwhosehappinessshehadwrecked——inpitytohim。
　　Hehadnevermoved。Hisheadwasdown；hisfacewashidden。Shewentbacktohimafewsteps。
　　"Theothershavegonefrommewithoutonekindword。Canyouforgiveme？"
　　Heheldouthishandtoherwithoutlookingup。Sorelyasshehadwoundedhim，hisgenerousnatureunderstoodher。Truetoherfromthefirst，hewastruetoherstill。
　　"Godblessandcomfortyou，"hesaid，inbrokentones。"Theearthholdsnonoblerwomanthanyou。"
　　Shekneltandkissedthekindhandthatpressedhersforthelasttime。"Itdoesn'tendwiththisworld，"shewhispered："thereisabetterworldtocome！"Thensherose，andwentbacktothechild。HandinhandthetwocitizensoftheGovernmentofGod——outcastsofthegovernmentofMan——passedslowlydownthelengthoftheroom。Thenoutintothehall。Thenoutintothenight。Theheavyclangoftheclosingdoortolledtheknelloftheirdeparture。Theyweregone。
　　Buttheorderlyroutineofthehouse——inexorableasdeath——pursueditsappointedcourse。Astheclockstruckthehourthedinner-bellrang。Anintervalofaminutepassed，andmarkedthelimitofdelay。Thebutlerappearedatthedining-roomdoor。
　　"Dinnerisserved，sir。"
　　Julianlookedup。Theemptyroommethiseyes。Somethingwhitelayonthecarpetclosebyhim。Itwasherhandkerchief——wetwithhertears。Hetookitupandpressedittohislips。Wasthattobethelastofher？Hadshelefthimforever？
　　Thenativeenergyoftheman，armingitselfwithallthemightofhislove，kindledinhimagain。No！Whilelifewasinhim，whiletimewasbeforehim，therewasthehopeofwinningheryet！
　　Heturnedtotheservant，recklessofwhathisfacemightbetray。
　　"WhereisLadyJanet？"
　　"Inthedining-room，sir。"
　　Hereflectedforamoment。Hisowninfluencehadfailed。Throughwhatotherinfluencecouldhenowhopetoreachher？Asthequestioncrossedhismindthelightbrokeonhim。Hesawthewaybacktoher——throughtheinfluenceofLadyJanet。
　　"Herladyshipiswaiting，sir。"
　　Julianenteredthedining-room。
　　[Epilogue]
　　[TableofContents]TheNewMagdalen，EpilogueEPILOGUE：
　　CONTAININGSELECTIONSFROMTHECORRESPONDENCEOFMISSGRACEROSEBERRY
　　ANDMR。HORACEHOLMCROFT；TOWHICHAREADDEDEXTRACTSFROMTHEDIARYOF
　　THEREVERENDJULIANGRAY。I。
　　FromMR。HORACEHOLMCROFTtoMISSGRACEROSEBERRY。
　　"IHASTENtothankyou，dearMissRoseberry，foryourlastkindletter，receivedbyyesterday'smailfromCanada。Believeme，IappreciateyourgenerousreadinesstopardonandforgetwhatIsorudelysaidtoyouatatimewhentheartsofanadventuresshadblindedmetothetruth。InthegracewhichhasforgivenmeIrecognizetheinbredsenseofjusticeofatruelady。Birthandbreedingcanneverfailtoassertthemselves：
　　Ibelieveinthem，thankGod，morefirmlythanever。
　　"YouaskmetokeepyouinformedoftheprogressofJulianGray'sinfatuation，andofthecourseofconductpursuedtowardhimbyMercyMerrick。
　　"Ifyouhadnotfavoredmebyexplainingyourobject，Imighthavefeltsomesurpriseatreceivingfromaladyinyourpositionsucharequestasthis。Butthemotivesbywhichyoudescribeyourselfasbeingactuatedarebeyonddispute。TheexistenceofSociety，asyoutrulysay，isthreatenedbythepresentlamentableprevalenceofLiberalideasthroughoutthelengthandbreadthoftheland。Wecanonlyhopetoprotectourselvesagainstimpostorsinterestedingainingapositionamongpersonsofourrankbybecominginsomesortunpleasantasitmaybefamiliarwiththeartsbywhichimposturetoofrequentlysucceeds。Ifwewishtoknowtowhatdaringlengthscunningcango，towhatpitiableself-delusioncredulitycanconsent，wemustwatchtheproceedings——evenwhileweshrinkfromthem——ofaMercyMerrickandaJulianGray。
　　"Intakingupmynarrativeagainwheremylastletterleftoff，Imustventuretosetyourightononepoint。
　　"CertainexpressionswhichhaveescapedyourpensuggesttomethatyoublameJulianGrayasthecauseofLadyJanet'sregrettablevisittotheRefugethedayafterMercyMerrickhadleftherhouse。Thisisnotquitecorrect。Julian，asyouwillpresentlysee，hasenoughtoanswerforwithoutbeingheldresponsibleforerrorsofjudgmentinwhichhehashadnoshare。LadyJanetassheherselftoldmewenttotheRefugeofherownfree-willtoaskMercyMerrick'spardonforthelanguagewhichshehadusedonthepreviousday。'Ipassedanightofsuchmiseryasnowordscandescribe'——this，Iassureyou，iswhatherladyshipreallysaidtome——'thinkingoverwhatmyvileprideandselfishnessandobstinacyhadmademesayanddo。Iwouldhavegonedownonmykneestobegherpardonifshewouldhaveletme。MyfirsthappymomentwaswhenIwonherconsenttocomeandvisitmesometimesatMablethorpeHouse。'
　　"Youwill，Iamsure，agreewithmethatsuchextravaganceasthisistobepitiedratherthanblamed。Howsadtoseethedecayofthefacultieswithadvancingage！ItisamatterofgraveanxietytoconsiderhowmuchlongerpoorLadyJanetcanbetrustedtomanageherownaffairs。IshalltakeanopportunityoftouchingonthematterdelicatelywhenInextseeherlawyer。
　　"Iamstrayingfrommysubject。And——isitnotstrange？——Iamwritingtoyouasconfidentiallyasifwewereoldfriends"ToreturntoJulianGray。Innocentofinstigatinghisaunt'sfirstvisittotheRefuge，heisguiltyofhavinginducedhertogothereforthesecondtimethedayafterIhaddispatchedmylastlettertoyou。LadyJanet'sobjectonthisoccasionwasneithermorenorlessthantopleadhernephew'scauseashumblesuitorforthehandofMercyMerrick。ImaginethedescentofoneoftheoldestfamiliesinEnglandinvitinganadventuressinaRefugetohonoraclergymanoftheChurchofEnglandbybecominghiswife！Inwhattimesdowelive！Mydearmothershedtearsofshamewhensheheardofit。Howyouwouldloveandadmiremymother！
　　"IdinedatMablethorpeHouse，bypreviousappointment，onthedaywhenLadyJanetreturnedfromherdegradingerrand。
　　"'Well？'Isaid，waiting，ofcourse，untiltheservantwasoutoftheroom。
　　"'Well，'LadyJanetanswered，'Julianwasquiteright。'
　　"'Quiterightinwhat？'
　　"'InsayingthattheearthholdsnonoblerwomanthanMercyMerrick。'
　　"'Hassherefusedhimagain？'
　　"'Shehasrefusedhimagain。'
　　"'ThankGod！'Ifeltitfervently，andIsaiditfervently。LadyJanetlaiddownherknifeandfork，andfixedoneofherfiercelooksonme。
　　"'Itmaynotbeyourfault，Horace，'shesaid，'ifyournatureisincapableofcomprehendingwhatisgreatandgenerousinothernatureshigherthanyours。Buttheleastyoucandoistodistrustyourowncapacityofappreciation。
　　Forthefuturekeepyouropinionsonquestionswhichyoudon'tunderstand
　　modestlytoyourself。Ihaveatendernessforyouforyourfather'ssake；
　　andItakethemostfavorableviewofyourconducttowardMercyMerrick。
　　Ihumanelyconsiderittheconductofafool。'Herownwords，MissRoseberry。
　　Iassureyouoncemore，herownwords。'Butdon'ttrespasstoofaronmyindulgence——don'tinsinuateagainthatawomanwhoisgoodenoughifshediedthisnighttogotoheaven，isnotgoodenoughtobemynephew'swife。'
　　"IexpressedtoyoumyconvictionalittlewaybackthatitwasdoubtfulwhetherpoorLadyJanetwouldbemuchlongercompetenttomanageherownaffairs。Perhapsyouthoughtmehastythen？Whatdoyouthinknow？
　　"Itwas，ofcourse，uselesstoreplyseriouslytotheextraordinaryreprimandthatIhadreceived。Besides，Iwasreallyshockedbyadecayofprinciplewhichproceededbuttooplainlyfromdecayofthementalpowers。Imadeasoothingandrespectfulreply，andIwasfavoredinreturnwithsomeaccountofwhathadreallyhappenedattheRefuge。
　　MymotherandmysistersweredisgustedwhenIrepeatedtheparticularstothem。Youwillbedisgustedtoo。
　　"TheinterestingpenitentexpectingLadyJanet'svisitwas，ofcourse，discoveredinatouchingdomesticposition！Shehadafoundlingbabyasleeponherlap；andshewasteachingthealphabettoanuglylittlevagabondgirlwhoseacquaintanceshehadfirstmadeinthestreet。Justthesortofartfultableauvivanttoimposeonanoldlady——wasitnot？
　　"Youwillunderstandwhatfollowed，whenLadyJanetopenedhermatrimonialnegotiation。Havingperfectedherselfinherpart，MercyMerrick，todoherjustice，wasnotthewomantoplayitbadly。Themostmagnanimoussentimentsflowedfromherlips。Shedeclaredthatherfuturelifewasdevotedtoactsofcharity，typified，ofcourse，bythefoundlinginfantandtheuglylittlegirl。Howevershemightpersonallysuffer，whatevermightbethesacrificeofherownfeelings——observehowartfullythiswasput，toinsinuatethatshewasherselfinlovewithhim！——shecouldnotacceptfromMr。JulianGrayanhonorofwhichshewasunworthy。Hergratitudetohimandherinterestinhimalikeforbadehertocompromisehisbrilliantfuturebyconsentingtoamarriagewhichwoulddegradehimintheestimationofallhisfriends。
　　Shethankedhimwithtears；shethankedLadyJanetwithmoretears；
　　butshedarenot，intheinterestsofhishonorandhishappiness，acceptthehandthatheofferedtoher。Godblessandcomforthim；andGodhelphertobearwithherhardlot！
　　"Theobjectofthiscontemptiblecomedyisplainenoughtomymind。
　　SheissimplyholdingoffJulian，asyouknow，isapoormanuntiltheinfluenceofLadyJanet'spersuasionisbackedbytheopeningofLadyJanet'spurse。Inoneword——Settlements！Butfortheprofanityofthewoman'slanguage，andthereallylamentablecredulityofthepooroldlady，thewholethingwouldmakeafitsubjectforaburlesque。
　　"Butthesaddestpartofthestoryisstilltocome。
　　"Induecourseoftimethelady'sdecisionwascommunicatedtoJulianGray。Hetookleaveofhissensesonthespot。Canyoubelieveit？——hehasresignedhiscuracy！AtatimewhenthechurchisthrongedeverySundaytohearhimpreach，thismadmanshutsthedoorandwalksoutofthepulpit。
　　EvenLadyJanetwasnotfarenoughgoneinfollytoabethiminthis。Sheremonstrated，liketherestofhisfriends。Perfectlyuseless！Hehadbutoneanswertoeverythingtheycouldsay：'Mycareerisclosed。'Whatstuff！
　　"Youwillask，naturallyenough，whatthisperversemanisgoingtodonext。Idon'tscrupletosaythatheisbentoncommittingsuicide。Praydonotbealarmed！Thereisnofearofthepistol，therope，ortheriver。Julianissimplycourtingdeath——withinthelimitsofthelaw。
　　"Thisisstronglanguage，Iknow。Youshallhearwhatthefactsare，andjudgeforyourself。
　　"Havingresignedhiscuracy，hisnextproceedingwastoofferhisservices，asvolunteer，toanewmissionaryenterpriseontheWestCoastofAfrica。
　　Thepersonsattheheadofthemissionproved，mostfortunately，tohaveapropersenseoftheirduty。ExpressingtheirconvictionofthevalueofJulian'sassistanceinthemosthandsometerms，theymadeitneverthelessaconditionofentertaininghisproposalthatheshouldsubmittoexaminationbyacompetentmedicalman。Aftersomehesitationheconsentedtothis。
　　Thedoctor'sreportwasconclusive。InJulian'spresentstateofhealththeclimateofWestAfricawouldinallprobabilitykillhiminthreemonths'
　　time。
　　"Foiledinhisfirstattempt，headdressedhimselfnexttoaLondonMission。Hereitwasimpossibletoraisethequestionofclimate，andhere，Igrievetosay，hehassucceeded。
　　"Heisnowworking——inotherwords，heisnowdeliberatelyriskinghislife——intheMissiontoGreenAnchorFields。ThedistrictknownbythisnameissituatedinaremotepartofLondon，neartheThames。Itisnotoriouslyinfestedbythemostdesperateanddegradedsetofwretchesinthewholemetropolitanpopulation，anditissothicklyinhabitedthatitishardlyevercompletelyfreefromepidemicdisease。Inthishorribleplace，andamongthesedangerouspeople，Julianisnowemployinghimselffrommorningtonight。Noneofhisoldfriendseverseehim。SincehejoinedtheMissionhehasnotevencalledonLadyJanetRoy。
　　"Mypledgeisredeemed——thefactsarebeforeyou。AmIwrongintakingmygloomyviewoftheprospect？Icannotforgetthatthisunhappymanwasoncemyfriend，andIreallyseenohopeforhiminthefuture。Deliberatelyself-exposedtotheviolenceofruffiansandtheoutbreakofdisease，whoistoextricatehimfromhisshockingposition？Theonepersonwhocandoitisthepersonwhoseassociationwithhimwouldbehisruin——MercyMerrick。Heavenonlyknowswhatdisastersitmaybemypainfuldutytocommunicatetoyouinmynextletter！
　　"Youaresokindastoaskmetotellyousomethingaboutmyselfandmyplans。
　　"Ihaveverylittletosayoneitherhead。AfterwhatIhavesuffered——myfeelingstrampledon，myconfidencebetrayed——IamasyethardlycapableofdecidingwhatIshalldo。Returningtomyoldprofession——tothearmy——isoutofthequestion，intheselevelingdays，whenanyobscurepersonwhocanpassanexaminationmaycallhimselfmybrotherofficer，andmayoneday，perhaps，commandmeasmysuperiorinrank。IfIthinkofanycareer，itisthecareerofdiplomacy。Birthandbreedinghavenotquitedisappearedasessentialqualificationsinthatbranchofthepublicservice。ButIhavedecidednothingasyet。
　　"Mymotherandsisters，intheeventofyourreturningtoEngland，desiremetosaythatitwillaffordthemthegreatestpleasuretomakeyouracquaintance。
　　Sympathizingwithme，theydonotforgetwhatyoutoohavesuffered。A
　　warmwelcomeawaitsyouwhenyoupayyourfirstvisitatourhouse。Mosttrulyyours，"HORACEHOLMCROFT。"II。
　　FromMISSGRACEROSEBERRYtoMR。HORACEHOLMCROFT。
　　"DEARMR。HOLMCROFT——Isnatchafewmomentsfrommyotheravocationstothankyouforyourmostinterestinganddelightfulletter。Howwellyoudescribe，howaccuratelyyoujudge！IfLiteraturestoodalittlehigherasaprofession，Ishouldalmostadviseyou——butno！ifyouenteredLiterature，howcouldyouassociatewiththepeoplewhomyouwouldbelikelytomeet？
　　"Betweenourselves，IalwaysthoughtMr。JulianGrayanoverratedman。
　　Iwillnotsayhehasjustifiedmyopinion。IwillonlysayIpityhim。
　　But，dearMr。Holmcroft，howcanyou，withyoursoundjudgment，placethesadalternativesnowbeforehimonthesamelevel？TodieinGreenAnchorFields，ortofallintotheclutchesofthatvilewretch——isthereanycomparisonbetweenthetwo？BetterathousandtimesdieatthepostofdutythanmarryMercyMerrick。
　　"AsIhavewrittenthecreature'sname，Imayadd——soastohaveallthesoonerdonewiththesubject——thatIshalllookwithanxietyforyournextletter。DonotsupposethatIfeelthesmallestcuriosityaboutthisdegradedanddesigningwoman。Myinterestinherispurelyreligious。Topersonsofmydevoutturnofmindsheisanawfulwarning。WhenIfeelSatannearme——itwillbesuchameansofgracetothinkofMercyMerrick！
　　"PoorLadyJanet！InoticedthosesignsofmentaldecaytowhichyousofeelinglyalludeatthelastinterviewIhadwithherinMablethorpeHouse。Ifyoucanfindanopportunity，willyousaythatIwishherwell，hereandhereafter？andwillyoupleaseaddthatIdonotomittorememberherinmyprayers？
　　"ThereisjustachanceofmyvisitingEnglandtowardthecloseoftheautumn。MyfortuneshavechangedsinceIwrotelast。Ihavebeenreceivedasreaderandcompanionbyaladywhoisthewifeofoneofourhighjudicialfunctionariesinthispartoftheworld。Idonottakemuchinterestinhim；heiswhattheycalla'self-mademan。'Hiswifeischarming。
　　Besidesbeingapersonofhighlyintellectualtastes，sheisgreatlyherhusband'ssuperior——asyouwillunderstandwhenItellyouthatsheisrelatedtotheGommerysofPommery；notthePommerysofGommery，whoasyourknowledgeofouroldfamilieswillinformyouonlyclaimkindredwiththeyoungerbranchofthatancientrace。
　　"IntheelegantandimprovingcompanionshipwhichInowenjoyIshouldfeelquitehappybutforonedrawback。TheclimateofCanadaisnotfavorabletomykindpatroness，andhermedicaladvisersrecommendhertowinterinLondon。Inthisevent，Iamtohavetheprivilegeofaccompanyingher。
　　Isitnecessarytoaddthatmyfirstvisitwillbepaidatyourhouse？
　　Ifeelalreadyunitedbysympathytoyourmotherandyoursisters。Thereisasortoffreemasonryamonggentlewomen，istherenot？Withbestthanksandremembrances，andmanydelightfulanticipationsofyournextletter，believeme，dearMr。Holmcroft，"Trulyyours，GRACEROSEBERRY。"III。
　　FromMR。HORACEHOLMCROFTtoMISSGRACEROSEBERRY。
　　"MYDEARMISSROSEBERRY——Prayexcusemylongsilence。Ihavewaitedformailaftermail，inthehopeofbeingabletosendyousomegoodnewsatlast。Itisuselesstowaitlonger。Myworstforebodingshavebeenrealized：
　　mypainfuldutycompelsmetowritealetterwhichwillsurpriseandshockyou。
　　"Letmedescribeeventsintheirorderastheyhappened。InthiswayImayhopetograduallyprepareyourmindforwhatistocome。
　　"AboutthreeweeksafterIwrotetoyoulast，JulianGraypaidthepenaltyofhisheadlongrashness。Idonotmeanthathesufferedanyactualviolenceatthehandsofthepeopleamongwhomhehadcasthislot。Onthecontrary，hesucceeded，incredibleasitmayappear，inproducingafavorableimpressionontheruffiansabouthim。AsIunderstandit，theybeganbyrespectinghiscourageinventuringamongthemalone；andtheyendedindiscoveringthathewasreallyinterestedinpromotingtheirwelfare。
　　Itistotheotherperil，indicatedinmylastletter，thathehasfallenavictim——theperilofdisease。Notlongafterhebeganhislaborsinthedistrictfeverbrokeout。WeonlyheardthatJulianhadbeenstruckdownbytheepidemicwhenitwastoolatetoremovehimfromthelodgingthatheoccupiedintheneighborhood。Imadeinquiriespersonallythemomentthenewsreachedus。Thedoctorinattendancerefusedtoanswerforhislife。
　　"InthisalarmingstateofthingspoorLadyJanet，impulsiveandunreasonableasusual，insistedonleavingMablethorpeHouseandtakingupherresidencenearhernephew。
　　"Findingitimpossibletopersuadeherofthefollyofremovingfromhomeanditscomfortsatherage，Ifeltitmydutytoaccompanyher。Wefoundaccommodationsuchasitwasinariver-sideinn，usedbyship-captainsandcommercialtravelers。Itookitonmyselftoprovidethebestmedicalassistance，LadyJanet'sinsaneprejudicesagainstdoctorsimpellinghertoleavethisimportantpartofthearrangementsentirelyinmyhands。
　　"ItisneedlesstowearyyoubyenteringintodetailsonthesubjectofJulian'sillness。
　　"Thefeverpursuedtheordinarycourse，andwascharacterizedbytheusualintervalsofdeliriumandexhaustionsucceedingeachother。Subsequentevents，whichitis，unfortunately，necessarytorelatetoyou，leavemenochoicebuttodwellasbrieflyaspossibleonthepainfulsubjectofthedelirium。Inothercasesthewanderingsoffever-strickenpeoplepresent，Iamtold，acertainvarietyofrange。InJulian'scasetheywerelimitedtoonetopic。HetalkedincessantlyofMercyMerrick。Hisinvariablepetitiontohismedicalattendantsentreatedthemtosendforhertonursehim。Dayandnightthatoneideawasinhismind，andthatonenameonhislips。
　　"Thedoctorsnaturallymadeinquiriesastothisabsentperson。Iwasobligedinconfidencetostatethecircumstancestothemplainly。
　　"TheeminentphysicianwhomIhadcalledintosuperintendthetreatmentbehavedadmirably。Thoughhehasrisenfromthelowerorderofthepeople，hehas，strangetosay，theinstinctsofagentleman。Hethoroughlyunderstoodourtryingposition，andfeltalltheimportanceofpreventingsuchapersonasMercyMerrickfromseizingtheopportunityofintrudingherselfatthebedside。AsoothingprescriptionIhavehisownauthorityforsayingit
　　wasallthatwasrequiredtomeetthepatient'scase。Thelocaldoctor，ontheotherhand，ayoungmanandevidentlyared-hotradical，provedtobeobstinate，and，consideringhisposition，insolentaswell。'Ihavenothingtodowiththelady'scharacter，andwithyouropinionofit，'hesaidtome。'Ihaveonly，tothebestofmyjudgment，topointouttoyouthelikeliestmeansofsavingthepatient'slife。Ourartisattheendofitsresources。SendforMercyMerrick，nomatterwhosheisorwhatsheis。Thereisjustachance——especiallyifsheprovestobeasensiblepersonandagoodnurse——thathemayastonishyouallbyrecognizingher。Inthatcaseonly，hisrecoveryisprobable。Ifyoupersistindisregardinghisentreaties，ifyouletthedeliriumgoonforfour-and-twentyhoursmore，heisadeadman。'
　　"LadyJanetwas，mostunluckily，presentwhenthisimpudentopinionwasdeliveredatthebedside。
　　"NeedItellyouthesequel？Calledupontochoosebetweenthecourseindicatedbyaphysicianwhoismakinghisfivethousandayear，andwhoiscertainofthenextmedicalbaronetcy，andtheadvicevolunteeredbyanobscuregeneralpractitionerattheEastEndofLondon，whoisnotmakinghisfivehundredayear——needIstoptoinformyouofherladyship'sdecision？
　　Youknowher；andyouwillonlytoowellunderstandthathernextproceedingwastopayathirdvisittotheRefuge。
　　"Twohourslater——IgiveyoumywordofhonorIamnotexaggerating——MercyMerrickwasestablishedatJulian'sbedside。
　　"Theexcuse，ofcourse，wasthatitwasherdutynottoletanyprivatescruplesofherownstandintheway，whenamedicalauthorityhaddeclaredthatshemightsavethepatient'slife。YouwillnotbesurprisedtohearthatIwithdrewfromthescene。Thephysicianfollowedmyexample——afterhavingwrittenhissoothingprescription，andhavingbeengrosslyinsultedbythelocalpractitioner'srefusingtomakeuseofit。Iwentbackinthedoctor'scarriage。Hespokemostfeelinglyandproperly。Withoutgivinganypositiveopinion，IcouldseethathehadabandonedallhopeofJulian'srecovery。'WeareinthehandsofProvidence，Mr。Holmcroft；'thosewerehislastwordsashesetmedownatmymother'sdoor。
　　"Ihavehardlythehearttogoon。IfIstudiedmyownwishes，Ishouldfeelinclinedtostophere。
　　"Letme，atleast，hastentotheend。Intwoorthreedays'timeIreceivedmyfirstintelligenceofthepatientandhisnurse。LadyJanetinformedmethathehadrecognizedher。WhenIheardthisIfeltpreparedforwhatwastocome。Thenextreportannouncedthathewasgainingstrength，andthenextthathewasoutofdanger。UponthisLadyJanetreturnedtoMablethorpeHouse。Icalledthereaweekago——andheardthathehadbeenremovedtothesea-side。Icalledyesterday——andreceivedthelatestinformationfromherladyship'sownlips。Mypenalmostrefusestowriteit。MercyMerrickhasconsentedtomarryhim！
　　"AnoutrageonSociety——thatishowmymotherandmysistersviewit；
　　thatishowyouwillviewittoo。Mymotherhasherselfthebetterfewamongthesex。Ifeelthatmymotherandmysistersaredoublyprecioustomenow。MayIadd，onthesideofconsolation，thatIprizewithhardlyinferiorgratitudetheprivilegeofcorrespondingwithyou？
　　"Farewellforthepresent。Iamtoorudelyshakeninmymostcherishedconvictions，Iamtoodepressedanddisheartened，towritemore。Allgoodwishesgowithyou，dearMissRoseberry，untilwemeet。
　　"Mosttrulyyours，HORACEHOLMCROFT。"IV。
　　ExtractsfromtheDIARYofTHEREVERENDJULIANGRAY。FIRSTEXTRACT……"Amonthto-daysinceweweremarried！Ihaveonlyonethingtosay：IwouldcheerfullygothroughallthatIhavesufferedtolivethisonemonthoveragain。Ineverknewwhathappinesswasuntilnow。Andbetterstill，IhavepersuadedMercythatitisallherdoing。Ihavescatteredhermisgivingstothewinds；sheisobligedtosubmittoevidence，andtoownthatshecanmakethehappinessofmylife。
　　"WegobacktoLondonto-morrow。Sheregretsleavingthetranquilretirementofthisremotesea-sideplace——shedreadschange。Icarenothingforit。
　　ItisallonetomewhereIgo，solongasmywifeiswithme。"SECONDEXTRACT。
　　"Thefirstcloudhasrisen。Ienteredtheroomunexpectedlyjustnow，andfoundherintears。
　　"WithconsiderabledifficultyIpersuadedhertotellmewhathadhappened。Arethereanylimitstothemischiefthatcanbedonebythetongueofafoolishwoman？Thelandladyatmylodgingsisthewoman，inthiscase。Havingnodecidedplansforthefutureasyet，wereturnedmostunfortunately，astheeventhasprovedtotheroomsinLondonwhichIinhabitedinmybachelordays。Theyarestillmineforsixweekstocome，andMercywasunwillingtoletmeincurtheexpenseoftakinghertoahotel。AtbreakfastthismorningIrashlycongratulatedmyselfinmywife'shearingonfindingthatamuchsmallercollectionthanusualoflettersandcardshadaccumulatedinmyabsence。Breakfastover，Iwasobligedtogoout。Painfullysensitive，poorthing，toanychangeinmyexperienceofthelittleworldaroundmewhichitispossibletoconnectwiththeeventofmymarriage，Mercyquestionedthelandlady，inmyabsence，aboutthediminishednumberofmyvisitorsandmycorrespondents。Thewomanseizedtheopportunityofgossipingaboutmeandmyaffairs，andmywife'squickperceptiondrewtherightconclusionunerringly。Mymarriagehasdecidedcertainwiseheadsoffamiliesondiscontinuingtheirsocialrelationswithme。Thefacts，unfortunately，speakforthemselves。Peoplewhoinformeryearshabituallycalleduponmeandinvitedme——orwho，intheeventofmyabsence，habituallywrotetomeatthisseason——haveabstainedwitharemarkableunanimityfromcalling，inviting，orwritingnow。
　　"Itwouldhavebeensheerwasteoftime——tosaynothingofitsalsoimplyingawantofconfidenceinmywife——ifIhadattemptedtosetthingsrightbydisputingMercy'sconclusion。Icouldonlysatisfyherthatnotsomuchastheshadowofdisappointmentormortificationrestedonmymind。InthiswayIhave，tosomeextent，succeededincomposingmypoordarling。Butthewoundhasbeeninflicted，andthewoundisfelt。
　　Thereisnodisguisingthatresult。Imustfaceitboldly。
　　"Triflingasthisincidentisinmyestimation，ithasdecidedmeononepointalready。InshapingmyfuturecourseIamnowresolvedtoactonmyownconvictions——inpreferencetotakingthewell-meantadviceofsuchfriendsasarestilllefttome。
　　"Allmylittlesuccessinlifehasbeengainedinthepulpit。Iamwhatistermedapopularpreacher——butIhavenever，inmysecretself，feltanyexultationinmyownnotoriety，oranyextraordinaryrespectforthemeansbywhichithasbeenwon。Inthefirstplace，Ihaveaverylowideaoftheimportanceoforatoryasanintellectualaccomplishment。Thereisnootherartinwhichtheconditionsofsuccessaresoeasyofattainment；
　　thereisnootherartinthepracticeofwhichsomuchthatispurelysuperficialpassesitselfoffhabituallyforsomethingthatclaimstobeprofound。
　　Then，again，howpooritisintheresultswhichitachieves！Takemyowncase。HowoftenforexamplehaveIthunderedwithallmyheartandsoulagainstthewickedextravaganceofdressamongwomen——againsttheirfilthyfalsehairandtheirnauseouspowdersandpaints！HowoftentotakeanotherexamplehaveIdenouncedthemercenaryandmaterialspiritoftheage——thehabitualcorruptionsanddishonestiesofcommerce，inhighplacesandinlow！WhatgoodhaveIdone？Ihavedelightedtheverypeoplewhomitwasmyobjecttorebuke。'Whatacharmingsermon！''Moreeloquentthanever！''Iusedtodreadthesermonattheotherchurch——doyouknow，Iquitelookforwardtoitnow。'ThatistheeffectIproduceonSunday。
　　OnMondaythewomenareofftothemillinerstospendmoremoneythanever；
　　thecitymenareofftobusinesstomakemoremoneythanever——whilemygrocer，loudinmypraisesinhisSundaycoat，turnsuphisweek-daysleevesandadulterateshisfavoritepreacher'ssugarascheerfullyasusual！
　　"Ihaveoften，inpastyears，felttheobjectionstopursuingmycareerwhicharehereindicated。TheywerebitterlypresenttomymindwhenI
　　resignedmycuracy，andtheystronglyinfluencemenow。
　　"Iamwearyofmycheaplywonsuccessinthepulpit。IamwearyofsocietyasIfinditinmytime。Ifeltsomerespectformyself，andsomeheartandhopeinmyworksamongthemiserablewretchesinGreenAnchorFields。
　　ButIcannot，andmustnot，returnamongthem：Ihavenoright，now，totriflewithmyhealthandmylife。Imustgobacktomypreaching，orImustleaveEngland。Amongaprimitivepeople，awayfromthecities——inthefarandfertileWestofthegreatAmericancontinent——I
　　mightlivehappilywithmywife，anddogoodamongmyneighbors，secureofprovidingforourwantsoutofthemodestlittleincomewhichisalmostuselesstomehere。InthelifewhichIthuspicturetomyselfIseelove，peace，health，anddutiesandoccupationsthatareworthyofaChristianman。WhatprospectisbeforemeifItaketheadviceofmyfriendsandstayhere？WorkofwhichIamweary，becauseIhavelongsinceceasedtorespectit；pettymalicethatstrikesatmethroughmywife，andmortifiesandhumiliatesher，turnwhereshemay。IfIhadonlymyselftothinkof，Imightdefytheworstthatmalicecando。ButIhaveMercytothinkof——Mercy，whomIlovebetterthanmyownlife！Womenlive，poorthings，intheopinionsofothers。Ihavehadonewarningalreadyofwhatmywifeislikelytosufferatthehandsofmy'friends'——Heavenforgivemeformisusingtheword！ShallIdeliberatelyexposehertofreshmortifications？——andthisforthesakeofreturningtoacareertherewardsofwhichInolongerprize？No！Wewillbothbehappy——wewillbothbefree！Godismerciful，Natureiskind，Loveistrue，intheNewWorldaswellastheOld。TotheNewWorldwewillgo！"THIRDEXTRACT。
　　"IhardlyknowwhetherIhavedonerightorwrong。ImentionedyesterdaytoLadyJanetthecoldreceptionofmeonmyreturntoLondon，andthepainfulsenseofitfeltbymywife。
　　"Myauntlooksatthematterfromherownpeculiarpointofview，andmakeslightofitaccordingly。'Youneverdid，andneverwill，understandSociety，Julian，'saidherladyship。'Thesepoorstupidpeoplesimplydon'tknowwhattodo。Theyarewaitingtobetoldbyapersonofdistinctionwhethertheyare，orarenot，torecognizeyourmarriage。InplainEnglish，theyarewaitingtobeledbyMe。Consideritdone。Iwillleadthem。'
　　"Ithoughtmyauntwasjoking。Theeventofto-dayhasshownmethatsheisterriblyinearnest。LadyJanethasissuedinvitationsforoneofhergrandballsatMablethorpeHouse；andshehascausedthereporttobecirculatedeverywherethattheobjectofthefestivalis'tocelebratethemarriageofMr。andMrs。JulianGray！'
　　"Iatfirstrefusedtobepresent。Tomyamazement，however，Mercysideswithmyaunt。SheremindsmeofallthatwebothowetoLadyJanet；andshehaspersuadedmetoaltermymind。Wearetogototheball——atmywifeexpressrequest！
　　"Themeaningofthis，asIinterpretit，isthatmypoorloveisstillpursuedinsecretbythedreadthatmymarriagehasinjuredmeinthegeneralestimation。Shewillsufferanything，riskanything，believeanything，tobefreedfromthatonehauntingdoubt。LadyJanetpredictsasocialtriumph；andmywife'sdespair——notmywife'sconviction——acceptstheprophecy。
　　Asforme，Iampreparedfortheresult。ItwillendinourgoingtotheNewWorld，andtryingSocietyinitsinfancy，amongtheforestsandtheplains。Ishallquietlyprepareforourdeparture，andownwhatIhavedoneattherighttime——thatistosay，whentheballisover。"FOURTHEXTRACT。
　　"Ihavemetwiththemanformypurpose——anoldcollegefriendofmine，nowpartnerinafirmofship-owners，largelyconcernedinemigration。
　　"OneoftheirvesselssailsforAmerica，fromtheportofLondon，inafortnight，touchingatPlymouth。Byafortunatecoincidence，LadyJanet'sballtakesplaceinafortnight。Iseemyway。
　　"Helpedbythekindnessofmyfriend，Ihavearrangedtohaveacabinkeptinreserve，onpaymentofasmalldeposit。IftheballendsasI
　　believeitwillinnewmortificationsforMercy——dowhattheymay，Idefythemtomortifyme——Ihaveonlytosaythewordbytelegraph，andweshallcatchtheshipatPlymouth。
　　"IknowtheeffectitwillhavewhenIbreakthenewstoher，butI
　　ampreparedwithmyremedy。Thepagesofmydiary，writteninpastyears，willshowplainlyenoughthatitisnotshewhoisdrivingmeawayfromEngland。Shewillseethelonginginmeforotherworkandotherscenesexpressingitselfoverandoveragainlongbeforethetimewhenwefirstmet。"
　　FIFTHEXTRACT。
　　"Mercy'sballdress——apresentfromkindLadyJanet——isfinished。I
　　wasallowedtoseethefirsttrial，orpreliminaryrehearsal，ofthisworkofart。Idon'tintheleastunderstandthemeritsofsilkandlace；butonethingIknow——mywifewillbethemostbeautifulwomanattheball。
　　"ThesamedayIcalledonLadyJanettothankher，andencounteredanewrevelationofthewaywardandoriginalcharacterofmydearoldaunt。
　　"ShewasonthepointoftearingupaletterwhenIwentintoherroom。
　　Seeingme，shesuspendedherpurposeandhandedmetheletter。ItwasinMercy'shandwriting。LadyJanetpointedtoapassageonthelastpage。
　　'Tellyourwife，withmylove，'shesaid，'thatIamthemostobstinatewomanofthetwo。Ipositivelyrefusetoreadher，asIpositivelyrefusetolistentoher，wheneversheattemptstoreturntothatonesubject。
　　Nowgivemetheletterback。'Igaveitback，andsawittornupbeforemyface。The'onesubject'prohibitedtoMercyassternlyaseverisstillthesubjectofthepersonationofGraceRoseberry！Nothingcouldhavebeenmorenaturallyintroduced，ormoredelicatelymanaged，thanmywife'sbriefreferencetothesubject。Nomatter。Thereadingofthefirstlinewasenough。LadyJanetshuthereyesanddestroyedtheletter——LadyJanetisdeterminedtoliveanddieabsolutelyignorantofthetruestoryof'MercyMerrick。'Whatunanswerableriddlesweare！Isitwonderfulifweperpetuallyfailtounderstandoneanother？"SIXTHEXTRACT。
　　"Themorningaftertheball。
　　"Itisdoneandover。SocietyhasbeatenLadyJanet。Ihaveneitherpatiencenortimetowriteatlengthofit。WeleaveforPlymouthbytheafternoonexpress。
　　"Wewereratherlateinarrivingattheball。Themagnificentroomswerefillingfast。Walkingthroughthemwithmywife，shedrewmyattentiontoacircumstancewhichIhadnotnoticedatthetime。'Julian，'shesaid，'lookroundamongtheladies，andtellmeifyouseeanythingstrange。'
　　AsIlookedroundthebandbeganplayingawaltz。Iobservedthatafewpeopleonlypassedbyustothedancing-room。Inoticednextthatofthosefewfewerstillwereyoung。Atlastitburstuponme。Withcertainexceptionssorareastoprovetherule，therewerenoyounggirlsatLadyJanet'sball。ItookMercyatoncebacktothereception-room。LadyJanet'sfaceshowedthatshe，too，wasawareofwhathadhappened。Theguestswerestillarriving。Wereceivedthemenandtheirwives，themenandtheirmothers，themenandtheirgrandmothers——but，inplaceoftheirunmarrieddaughters，elaborateexcuses，offeredwithashamelesspolitenesswonderfultosee。
　　Yes！ThiswashowthematronsinhighlifehadgotoverthedifficultyofmeetingMrs。JulianGrayatLadyJanet'shouse。
　　tothemselves。Herguestsremainedandsuppedheartilynotwithstanding。TheyallknewbyexperiencethattherewerenostaledishesandnocheapwinesatMablethorpeHouse。Theydranktotheendofthebottle，andtheyatetothelasttruffleinthedish。
　　"MercyandIhadaninterviewwithmyauntupstairsbeforeweleft。
　　IfeltitnecessarytostateplainlymyresolutiontoleaveEngland。ThescenethatfollowedwassopainfulthatIcannotprevailonmyselftoreturntoitinthesepages。Mywifeisreconciledtoourdeparture；andLadyJanetaccompaniesusasfarasPlymouth——thesearetheresults。Nowordscanexpressmysenseofrelief，nowthatitisallsettled。TheonesorrowIshallcarryawaywithmefromtheshoresofEnglandwillbethesorrowofpartingwithdear，warm-heartedLadyJanet。Atherageitisapartingforlife。
　　"Soclosesmyconnectionwithmyowncountry。WhileIhaveMercybymysideIfacetheunknownfuture，certainofcarryingmyhappinesswithme，gowhereImay。Weshallfindfivehundredadventurerslikeourselveswhenwejointheemigrantship，forwhomtheirnativelandhasnooccupationandnohome。GentlemenoftheStatisticalDepartment，addtwomoretothenumberofsocialfailuresproducedbyEnglandintheyearofourLordeighteenhundredandseventy-one——JulianGrayandMercyMerrick。
　　ENDOFVOLUMESEVEN。[TableofContents]