Hislipshadsaidit——nothers！Hehadgivenherthename。
\"\'MercyMerrick\'isanEnglishname？\"pursuedIgnatiusWetzel，withhiseyessteadilyfixedonher。\"Isitnotso？\"
TheholdonhermindofthepastassociationwithJulianGraybegantorelax。Onepresentandpressingquestionnowpossesseditselfoftheforemostplaceinherthoughts。ShouldshecorrecttheerrorintowhichtheGermanhadfallen？Thetimehadcome——tospeak，andassertherownidentity；ortobesilent，andcommitherselftothefraud。
HoraceHolmcroftenteredtheroomagainatthemomentwhenSurgeonWetzel\'sstaringeyeswerestillfastenedonher，waitingforherreply。
\"Ihavenotoverratedmyinterest，\"hesaid，pointingtoalittleslipofpaperinhishand。\"Hereisthepass。Haveyougotpenandink？Imustfilluptheform。\"
Mercypointedtothewritingmaterialsonthetable。Horaceseatedhimself，anddippedthepenintheink。
\"Praydon\'tthinkthatIwishtointrudemyselfintoyouraffairs，\"hesaid。\"Iamobligedtoaskyouoneortwoplainquestions。Whatisyourname？\"
Asuddentremblingseizedher。Shesupportedherselfagainstthefootofthebed。Herwholefutureexistencedependedonheranswer。Shewasincapableofutteringaword。
IgnatiusWetzelstoodherfriendforonce。Hiscroakingvoicefilledtheemptygapofsilenceexactlyattherighttime。Hedoggedlyheldthehandkerchiefunderhereyes。Heobstinatelyrepeated：\"MercyMerrickisanEnglishname。Isitnotso？\"
HoraceHolmcroftlookedupfromthetable。\"MercyMerrick？\"hesaid。\"WhoisMercyMerrick？\"
SurgeonWetzelpointedtothecorpseonthebed。
\"Ihavefoundthenameonthehandkerchief，\"hesaid。\"Thislady，itseems，hadnotcuriosityenoughtolookforthenameofherowncountrywoman。\"HemadethatmockingallusiontoMercywithatonewhichwasalmostatoneofsuspicion，andalookwhichwasalmostalookofcontempt。Herquicktemperinstantlyresentedthediscourtesyofwhichshehadbeenmadetheobject。Theirritationofthemoment——sooftendothemosttriflingmotivesdeterminethemostserioushumanactions——decidedheronthecoursethatsheshouldpursue。Sheturnedherbackscornfullyontherudeoldman，andlefthiminthedelusionthathehaddiscoveredthedeadwoman\'sname。Horacereturnedtothebusinessoffillinguptheform。
\"Pardonmeforpressingthequestion，\"hesaid。\"YouknowwhatGermandisciplineisbythistime。Whatisyourname？\"
Sheansweredhimrecklessly，defiantly，withoutfairlyrealizingwhatshewasdoinguntilitwasdone。
\"GraceRoseberry，\"shesaid。
Thewordswerehardlyoutofhermouthbeforeshewouldhavegiveneverythingshepossessedintheworldtorecallthem。
\"Miss？\"askedHorace，smiling。
Shecouldonlyanswerhimbybowingherhead。
Hewrote：\"MissGraceRoseberry\"——reflectedforamoment——andthenadded，interrogatively，\"ReturningtoherfriendsinEngland？\"HerfriendsinEngland？Mercy\'sheartswelled：shesilentlyrepliedbyanothersign。Hewrotethewordsafterthename，andshookthesandboxoverthewetink。\"Thatwillbeenough，\"hesaid，risingandpresentingthepasstoMercy；\"Iwillseeyouthroughthelinesmyself，andarrangeforyourbeingsentonbytherailway。Whereisyourluggage？\"
Mercypointedtowardthefrontdoorofthebuilding。\"Inashedoutsidethecottage，\"sheanswered。\"Itisnotmuch；Icandoeverythingformyselfifthesentinelwillletmepassthroughthekitchen。\"
Horacepointedtothepaperinherhand。\"Youcangowhereyoulikenow，\"hesaid。\"ShallIwaitforyouhereoroutside？\"
MercyglanceddistrustfullyatIgnatiusWetzel。Hewasagainabsorbedinhisendlessexaminationofthebodyonthebed。IfshelefthimalonewithMr。Holmcroft，therewasnoknowingwhatthehatefuloldmanmightnotsayofher。Sheanswered：
\"Waitformeoutside，ifyouplease。\"
Thesentineldrewbackwithamilitarysaluteatthesightofthepass。AlltheFrenchprisonershadbeenremoved；therewerenotmorethanhalf-a-dozenGermansinthekitchen，andthegreaterpartofthemwereasleep。MercytookGraceRoseberry\'sclothesfromthecornerinwhichtheyhadbeenlefttodry，andmadefortheshed——aroughstructureofwood，builtoutfromthecottagewall。Atthefrontdoorsheencounteredasecondsentinel，andshowedherpassforthesecondtime。Shespoketothisman，askinghimifheunderstoodFrench。Heansweredthatheunderstoodalittle。Mercygavehimapieceofmoney，andsaid：\"Iamgoingtopackupmyluggageintheshed。Bekindenoughtoseethatnobodydisturbsme。\"Thesentinelsaluted，intokenthatheunderstood。Mercydisappearedinthedarkinterioroftheshed。
LeftalonewithSurgeonWetzel，HoracenoticedthestrangeoldmanstillbendingintentlyovertheEnglishladywhohadbeenkilledbytheshell。
\"Anythingremarkable，\"heasked，\"inthemannerofthatpoorcreature\'sdeath？\"
\"Nothingtoputinanewspaper，\"retortedthecynic，pursuinghisinvestigationsasattentivelyasever。
\"Interestingtoadoctor——eh？\"saidHorace。
\"Yes。Interestingtoadoctor，\"wasthegruffreply。
Horacegood-humoredlyacceptedthehintimpliedinthosewords。Hequittedtheroombythedoorleadingintotheyard，andwaitedforthecharmingEnglishwoman，ashehadbeeninstructed，outsidethecottage。
Leftbyhimself，IgnatiusWetzel，afterafirstcautiouslookallroundhim，openedtheupperpartofGrace\'sdress，andlaidhislefthandonherheart。Takingalittlesteelinstrumentfromhiswaistcoatpocketwiththeotherhand，heapplieditcarefullytothewound，raisedamorselofthebrokenanddepressedboneoftheskull，andwaitedfortheresult。\"Aha！\"hecried，addressingwithaterriblegayetythesenselesscreatureunderhishands。\"TheFrenchmansaysyouaredead，mydear——doeshe？TheFrenchmanisaQuack！TheFrenchmanisanAss！\"Heliftedhishead，andcalledintothekitchen。\"Max！\"AsleepyyoungGerman，coveredwithadresser\'sapronfromhischintohisfeet，drewthecurtain，andwaitedforhisinstructions。\"Bringmemyblackbag，\"saidIgnatiusWetzel。Havinggiventhatorder，herubbedhishandscheerfully，andshookhimselflikeadog。\"NowIamquitehappy，\"croakedtheterribleoldman，withhisfierceeyesleeringsidelongatthebed。\"Mydear，deadEnglishwoman，IwouldnothavemissedthismeetingwithyouforallthemoneyIhaveintheworld。Ha！youinfernalFrenchQuack，youcallitdeath，doyou？Icallitsuspendedanimationfrompressureonthebrain！\"
Maxappearedwiththeblackbag。
IgnatiusWetzelselectedtwofearfulinstruments，brightandnew，andhuggedthemtohisbosom。\"Mylittleboys，\"hesaid，tenderly，asiftheywerehischildren；\"myblessedlittleboys，cometowork！\"Heturnedtotheassistant。\"DoyourememberthebattleofSolferino，Max——andtheAustriansoldierIoperatedonforawoundonthehead？\"
Theassistant\'ssleepyeyesopenedwide；hewasevidentlyinterested。\"Iremember，\"hesaid。\"Iheldthecandle。\"
Themasterledthewaytothebed。
\"IamnotsatisfiedwiththeresultofthatoperationatSolferino，\"hesaid；\"Ihavewantedtotryagaineversince。It\'struethatIsavedtheman\'slife，butIfailedtogivehimbackhisreasonalongwithit。Itmighthavebeensomethingwrongintheoperation，oritmighthavebeensomethingwrongintheman。Whicheveritwas，hewillliveanddiemad。Nowlookhere，mylittleMax，atthisdearyoungladyonthebed。ShegivesmejustwhatIwanted；hereisthecaseatSolferinooncemore。Youshallholdthecandleagain，mygoodboy；standthere，andlookwithallyoureyes。IamgoingtotryifIcansavethelifeandthereasontoothistime。\"
Hetuckedupthecuffsofhiscoatandbegantheoperation。AshisfearfulinstrumentstouchedGrace\'shead，thevoiceofthesentinelatthenearestoutpostwasheard，givingthewordinGermanwhichpermittedMercytotakethefirststeponherjourneytoEngland：
\"PasstheEnglishlady！\"
Theoperationproceeded。Thevoiceofthesentinelatthenextpostwasheardmorefaintly，initsturn：\"PasstheEnglishlady！\"
Theoperationended。IgnatiusWetzelhelduphishandforsilenceandputhisearclosetothepatient\'smouth。
ThefirsttremblingbreathofreturninglifeflutteredoverGraceRoseberry\'slipsandtouchedtheoldman\'swrinkledcheek。\"Aha！\"hecried。\"Goodgirl！youbreathe——youlive！\"Ashespoke，thevoiceofthesentinelatthefinallimitoftheGermanlinesbarelyaudibleinthedistancegavethewordforthelasttime：
\"PasstheEnglishlady！\"
[NextChapter]
[TableofContents]TheNewMagdalen，Chapter6SECONDSCENE。
MablethorpeHouse。
PREAMBLE。
THEplaceisEngland。
Thetimeiswinter，intheyeareighteenhundredandseventy。
Thepersonsare，JulianGray，HoraceHolmcroft，LadyJanetRoy，GraceRoseberry，andMercyMerrick。
CHAPTERVI。
LADYJANET\'SCOMPANION。
ITisagloriouswinter\'sday。Theskyisclear，thefrostishard，theicebearsforskating。
Thedining-roomoftheancientmansioncalledMablethorpeHouse，situatedintheLondonsuburbofKensington，isfamousamongartistsandotherpersonsoftasteforthecarvedwood-work，ofItalianorigin，whichcoversthewallsonthreesides。Onthefourthsidethemarchofmodernimprovementhasbrokenin，andhasvariedandbrightenedthescenebymeansofaconservatory，forminganentrancetotheroomthroughawinter-gardenofrareplantsandflowers。Onyourrighthand，asyoustandfrontingtheconservatory，themonotonyofthepaneledwallisrelievedbyaquaintlypatterneddoorofoldinlaidwood，leadingintothelibrary，andthence，acrossthegreathall，totheotherreception-roomsofthehouse。Acorrespondingdooronthelefthandgivesaccesstothebilliard-room，tothesmoking-roomnexttoit，andtoasmallerhallcommandingoneofthesecondaryentrancestothebuilding。Ontheleftsidealsoistheamplefireplace，surmountedbyitsmarblemantelpiece，carvedintheprofuselyandconfusedlyornatestyleofeightyyearssince。Totheeducatedeyethedining-room，withitsmodernfurnitureandconservatory，itsancientwallsanddoors，anditsloftymantelpieceneitherveryoldnorverynew，presentsastartling，almostarevolutionary，mixtureofthedecorativeworkmanshipofwidelydifferingschools。Totheignoranteyetheoneresultproducedisanimpressionofperfectluxuryandcomfort，unitedinthefriendliestcombination，anddevelopedonthelargestscale。
Theclockhasjuststrucktwo。Thetableisspreadforluncheon。
Thepersonsseatedatthetablearethreeinnumber。First，LadyJanetRoy。Second，ayoungladywhoisherreaderandcompanion。Third，agueststayinginthehouse，whohasalreadyappearedinthesepagesunderthenameofHoraceHolmcroft——attachedtotheGermanarmyaswarcorrespondentofanEnglishnewspaper。
LadyJanetRoyneedsbutlittleintroduction。EverybodywiththeslightestpretensiontoexperienceinLondonsocietyknowsLadyJanetRoy。
Whohasnotheardofheroldlaceandherpricelessrubies？Whohasnotadmiredhercommandingfigure，herbeautifullydressedwhitehair，herwonderfulblackeyes，whichstillpreservetheiryouthfulbrightness，afterfirstopeningontheworldseventyyearssince？Whohasnotfeltthecharmofherfrank，easilyflowingtalk，herinexhaustiblespirits，hergood-humored，gracioussociabilityofmanner？Whereisthemodernhermitwhoisnotfamiliarlyacquainted，byhearsayatleast，withthefantasticnoveltyandhumorofheropinions；withhergenerousencouragementofrisingmeritofanysort，inallranks，highorlow；withhercharities，whichknownodistinctionbetweenabroadandathome；withherlargeindulgence，whichnoingratitudecandiscourage，andnoservilitypervert？Everybodyhasheardofthepopularoldlady——thechildlesswidowofalong-forgottenlord。EverybodyknowsLadyJanetRoy。
Butwhoknowsthehandsomeyoungwomansittingonherrighthand，playingwithherluncheoninsteadofeatingit？Nobodyreallyknowsher。
Sheisprettilydressedingraypoplin，trimmedwithgrayvelvet，andsetoffbyaribbonofdeepredtiedinabowatthethroat。SheisnearlyastallasLadyJanetherself，andpossessesagraceandbeautyoffigurenotalwaysseeninwomenwhoriseabovethemediumheight。Judgingbyacertaininnategrandeurinthecarriageofherheadandintheexpressionofherlargemelancholygrayeyes，believersinbloodandbreedingwillbeapttoguessthatthisisanothernoblelady。Alas！sheisnothingbutLadyJanet\'scompanionandreader。Herhead，crownedwithitslovelylightbrownhair，bendswithagentlerespectwhenLadyJanetspeaks。HerfinefirmhandiseasilyandincessantlywatchfultosupplyLadyJanet\'sslightestwants。Theoldlady——affectionatelyfamiliarwithher——speakstoherasshemightspeaktoanadoptedchild。Butthegratitudeofthebeautifulcompanionhasalwaysthesamerestraintinitsacknowledgmentofkindness；thesmileofthebeautifulcompanionhasalwaysthesameunderlyingsadnesswhenitrespondstoLadyJanet\'sheartylaugh。Istheresomethingwronghere，underthesurface？Isshesufferinginmind，orsufferinginbody？Whatisthematterwithher？
Thematterwithherissecretremorse。Thisdelicateandbeautifulcreaturepinesundertheslowtormentofconstantself-reproach。
Tothemistressofthehouse，andtoallwhoinhabititorenterit，sheisknownasGraceRoseberry，theorphanrelativebymarriageofLadyJanetRoy。ToherselfalonesheisknownastheoutcastoftheLondonstreets；theinmateoftheLondonRefuge；thelostwomanwhohasstolenherwayback——aftervainlytryingtofightherwayback——toHomeandName。Thereshesitsinthegrimshadowofherownterriblesecret，disguisedinanotherperson\'sidentity，andestablishedinanotherperson\'splace。MercyMerrickhadonlytodare，andtobecomeGraceRoseberryifshepleased。Shehasdared，andshehasbeenGraceRoseberryfornearlyfourmonthspast。
Atthismoment，whileLadyJanetistalkingtoHoraceHolmcroft，somethingthathaspassedbetweenthemhassetherthinkingofthedaywhenshetookthefirstfatalstepwhichcommittedhertothefraud。
Howmarvelouslyeasyofaccomplishmenttheactofpersonationhadbeen！AtfirstsightLadyJanethadyieldedtothefascinationofthenobleandinterestingface。Noneedtopresentthestolenletter；noneedtorepeattheready-madestory。Theoldladyhadputtheletterasideunopened，andhadstoppedthestoryatthefirstwords。\"Yourfaceisyourintroduction，mydear；yourfathercansaynothingforyouwhichyouhavenotalreadysaidforyourself。\"Therewasthewelcomewhichestablishedherfirmlyinherfalseidentityattheoutset。Thankstoherownexperience，andthankstothe\"Journal\"ofeventsatRome，questionsaboutherlifeinCanadaandquestionsaboutColonelRoseberry\'sillnessfoundherreadywithanswerswhichevenifsuspicionhadexistedwouldhavedisarmedsuspiciononthespot。WhilethetrueGracewasslowlyandpainfullywinningherwaybacktolifeonherbedinaGermanhospital，thefalseGracewaspresentedtoLadyJanet\'sfriendsastherelativebymarriageoftheMistressofMablethorpeHouse。FromthattimeforwardnothinghadhappenedtorouseinherthefaintestsuspicionthatGraceRoseberrywasotherthanadead-and-buriedwoman。Sofarasshenowknew——sofarasanyonenowknew——shemightliveoutherlifeinperfectsecurityifherconsciencewouldlether，respected，distinguished，andbeloved，inthepositionwhichshehadusurped。
Sheroseabruptlyfromthetable。Theeffortofherlifewastoshakeherselffreeoftheremembranceswhichhauntedherperpetuallyastheywerehauntinghernow。Hermemorywasherworstenemy；heronerefugefromitwasinchangeofoccupationandchangeofscene。
\"MayIgointotheconservatory，LadyJanet？\"sheasked。
\"Certainly，mydear。\"
Shebentherheadtoherprotectress，lookedforamomentwithasteady，compassionateattentionatHoraceHolmcroft，and，slowlycrossingtheroom，enteredthewinter-garden。TheeyesofHoracefollowedher，aslongasshewasinview，withacuriouscontradictoryexpressionofadmirationanddisapproval。Whenshehadpassedoutofsighttheadmirationvanished，butthedisapprovalremained。Thefaceoftheyoungmancontractedintoafrown：hesatsilent，withhisforkinhishand，playingabsentlywiththefragmentsonhisplate。
\"TakesomeFrenchpie，Horace，\"saidLadyJanet。
\"No，thankyou。\"
\"Somemorechicken，then？\"
\"Nomorechicken。\"
\"Willnothingtemptyou？\"
\"Iwilltakesomemorewine，ifyouwillallowme。\"
Hefilledhisglassforthefifthorsixthtimewithclaret，andemptieditsullenlyatadraught。LadyJanet\'sbrighteyeswatchedhimwithsardonicattention；LadyJanet\'sreadytonguespokeoutasfreelyasusualwhatwaspassinginhermindatthetime。
\"TheairofKensingtondoesn\'tseemtosuityou，myyoungfriend，\"shesaid。\"Thelongeryouhavebeenmyguest，theofteneryoufillyourglassandemptyyourcigar-case。Thosearebadsignsinayoungman。Whenyoufirstcamehereyouarrivedinvalidedbyawound。Inyourplace，Ishouldnothaveexposedmyselftobeshot，withnootherobjectinviewthandescribingabattleinanewspaper。Isupposetastesdiffer。Areyouill？Doesyourwoundstillplagueyou？\"
\"Notintheleast。\"
\"Areyououtofspirits？\"
HoraceHolmcroftdroppedhisfork，restedhiselbowsonthetable，andanswered：
\"Awfully。\"
EvenLadyJanet\'slargetolerationhaditslimits。Itembracedeveryhumanoffenseexceptabreachofgoodmanners。Shesnatchedupthenearestweaponofcorrectionathand——atablespoon——andrappedheryoungfriendsmartlywithitonthearmthatwasnearesttoher。
\"Mytableisnottheclubtable，\"saidtheoldlady。\"Holdupyourhead。Don\'tlookatyourfork——lookatme。IallownobodytobeoutofspiritsinMyhouse。IconsiderittobeareflectiononMe。Ifourquietlifeheredoesn\'tsuityou，saysoplainly，andfindsomethingelsetodo。Thereisemploymenttobehad，Isuppose——ifyouchoosetoapplyforit？Youneedn\'tsmile。Idon\'twanttoseeyourteeth——Iwantananswer。\"
Horaceadmitted，withallneedfulgravity，thattherewasemploymenttobehad。ThewarbetweenFranceandGermany，heremarked，wasstillgoingon：thenewspaperhadofferedtoemployhimagaininthecapacityofcorrespondent。
\"Don\'tspeakofthenewspapersandthewar！\"criedLadyJanet，withasuddenexplosionofanger，whichwasgenuineangerthistime。\"Idetestthenewspapers！Iwon\'tallowthenewspaperstoenterthishouse。IlaythewholeblameofthebloodshedbetweenFranceandGermanyattheirdoor。\"
Horace\'seyesopenedwideinamazement。Theoldladywasevidentlyinearnest。\"Whatcanyoupossiblymean？\"heasked。\"Arethenewspapersresponsibleforthewar？\"
\"Entirelyresponsible，\"answeredLadyJanet。\"Why，youdon\'tunderstandtheageyoulivein！Doesanybodydoanythingnowadaysfightingincludedwithoutwishingtoseeitinthenewspapers？Isubscribetoacharity；thouartpresentedwithatestimonial；hepreachesasermon；wesufferagrievance；youmakeadiscovery；theygotochurchandgetmarried。AndI，thou，he；we，you，they，allwantoneandthesamething——wewanttoseeitinthepapers。Arekings，soldiers，anddiplomatistsexceptionstothegeneralruleofhumanity？Notthey！Itellyouseriously，ifthenewspapersofEuropehadoneandalldecidednottotakethesmallestnoticeinprintofthewarbetweenFranceandGermany，itismyfirmconvictionthewarwouldhavecometoanendforwantofencouragementlongsince。Letthepenceasetoadvertisethesword，andI，forone，canseetheresult。Noreport——nofighting。\"
\"Yourviewshavethemeritofperfectnovelty，ma\'am，\"saidHorace。\"Wouldyouobjecttoseetheminthenewspapers？\"
LadyJanetworstedheryoungfriendwithhisownweapons。
\"Don\'tIliveinthelatterpartofthenineteenthcentury？\"sheasked。\"Inthenewspapers，didyousay？Inlargetype，Horace，ifyouloveme！\"
Horacechangedthesubject。
\"Youblamemeforbeingoutofspirits，\"hesaid；\"andyouseemtothinkitisbecauseIamtiredofmypleasantlifeatMablethorpeHouse。Iamnotintheleasttired，LadyJanet。\"Helookedtowardtheconservatory：thefrownshoweditselfonhisfaceoncemore。\"Thetruthis，\"heresumed，\"IamnotsatisfiedwithGraceRoseberry。\"
\"WhathasGracedone？\"
\"Shepersistsinprolongingourengagement。Nothingwillpersuadehertofixthedayforourmarriage。\"
Itwastrue！Mercyhadbeenmadenoughtolistentohim，andtolovehim。ButMercywasnotvileenoughtomarryhimunderherfalsecharacter，andinherfalsename。BetweenthreeandfourmonthshadelapsedsinceHoracehadbeensenthomefromthewar，wounded，andhadfoundthebeautifulEnglishwomanwhomhehadbefriendedinFranceestablishedatMablethorpeHouse。InvitedtobecomeLadyJanet\'sguesthehadpassedhisholidaysasaschool-boyunderLadyJanet\'sroof——freetospendtheidletimeofhisconvalescencefrommorningtonightinMercy\'ssociety——theimpressionoriginallyproducedonhiminaFrenchcottagesoonstrengthenedintolove。BeforethemonthwasoutHoracehaddeclaredhimself，andhaddiscoveredthathespoketowillingears。Fromthatmomentitwasonlyaquestionofpersistinglongenoughintheresolutiontogainhispoint。Themarriageengagementwasratified——mostreluctantlyonthelady\'sside——andtherethefurtherprogressofHoraceHolmcroft\'ssuitcametoanend。Tryashemight，hefailedtopersuadehisbetrothedwifetofixthedayforthemarriage。Therewerenoobstaclesinherway。Shehadnonearrelationsofherowntoconsult。AsaconnectionofLadyJanet\'sbymarriage，Horace\'smotherandsisterswerereadytoreceiveherwithallthehonorsduetoanewmemberofthefamily。Nopecuniaryconsiderationsmadeitnecessary，inthiscase，towaitforafavorabletime。Horacewasanonlyson；andhehadsucceededtohisfather\'sestatewithanampleincometosupportit。Onbothsidesaliketherewasabsolutelynothingtopreventthetwoyoungpeoplefrombeingmarriedassoonasthesettlementscouldbedrawn。Andyet，toallappearance，herewasalongengagementinprospect，withnobetterreasonthanthelady\'sincomprehensibleperversitytoexplainthedelay。\"CanyouaccountforGrace\'sconduct？\"askedLadyJanet。Hermannerchangedassheputthequestion。Shelookedandspokelikeapersonwhowasperplexedandannoyed\"Ihardlyliketoownit，\"Horaceanswered，\"butIamafraidshehassomemotivefordeferringourmarriagewhichshecannotconfideeithertoyouortome。\"
LadyJanetstarted。
\"Whatmakesyouthinkthat？\"sheasked。
\"Ihaveonceortwicecaughtherintears。Everynowandthen——sometimeswhensheistalkingquitegayly——shesuddenlychangescolorandbecomessilentanddepressed。Justnow，whensheleftthetabledidn\'tyounoticeit？，shelookedatmeinthestrangestway——almostasifshewassorryforme。Whatdothesethingsmean？\"
Horace\'sreply，insteadofincreasingLadyJanet\'sanxiety，seemedtorelieveit。Hehadobservednothingwhichshehadnotnoticedherself。\"Youfoolishboy！\"shesaid，\"themeaningisplainenough。Gracehasbeenoutofhealthforsometimepast。Thedoctorrecommendschangeofair。Ishalltakeherawaywithme。\"
\"Itwouldbemoretothepurpose，\"Horacerejoined，\"ifItookherawaywithme。Shemightconsent，ifyouwouldonlyuseyourinfluence。Isitaskingtoomuchtoaskyoutopersuadeher？Mymotherandmysistershavewrittentoher，andhaveproducednoeffect。Domethegreatestofallkindnesses——speaktoherto-day！\"Hepaused，andpossessinghimselfofLadyJanet\'shand，presseditentreatingly。\"Youhavealwaysbeensogoodtome，\"hesaid，softly，andpresseditagain。
Theoldladylookedathim。ItwasimpossibletodisputethattherewereattractionsinHoraceHolmcroft\'sfacewhichmadeitwellworthlookingat。Manyawomanmighthaveenviedhimhisclearcomplexion，hisbrightblueeyes，andthewarmambertintinhislightSaxonhair。Men——especiallymenskilledinobservingphysiognomy——mighthavenoticedintheshapeofhisforeheadandinthelineofhisupperlipthesignsindicativeofamoralnaturedeficientinlargenessandbreadth——ofamindeasilyaccessibletostrongprejudices，andobstinateinmaintainingthoseprejudicesinthefaceofconvictionitself。
Totheobservationofwomentheseremotedefectsweretoofarbelowthesurfacetobevisible。Hecharmedthesexingeneralbyhisrarepersonaladvantages，andbythegracefuldeferenceofhismanner。ToLadyJanethewasendeared，notbyhisownmeritsonly，butbyoldassociationsthatwereconnectedwithhim。Hisfatherhadbeenoneofhermanyadmirersinheryoungdays。Circumstanceshadpartedthem。Hermarriagetoanothermanhadbeenachildlessmarriage。Inpasttimes，whentheboyHoracehadcometoherfromschool，shehadcherishedasecretfancytooabsurdtobecommunicatedtoanylivingcreaturethatheoughttohavebeenherson，andmighthavebeenherson，ifshehadmarriedhisfather！Shesmiledcharmingly，oldasshewas——sheyieldedashismothermighthaveyielded——whentheyoungmantookherhandandentreatedhertointerestherselfinhismarriage。\"MustIreallyspeaktoGrace？\"sheasked，withagentlenessoftoneandmannerfarfromcharacteristic，onordinaryoccasions，oftheladyofMablethorpeHouse。Horacesawthathehadgainedhispoint。Hesprangtohisfeet；hiseyesturnedeagerlyinthedirectionoftheconservatory；hishandsomefacewasradiantwithhope。LadyJanetwithhermindfullofhisfatherstolealastlookathim，sighedasshethoughtofthevanisheddays，andrecoveredherself。
\"Gotothesmoking-room，\"shesaid，givinghimapushtowardthedoor。\"Awaywithyou，andcultivatethefavoriteviceofthenineteenthcentury。\"Horaceattemptedtoexpresshisgratitude。\"Goandsmoke！\"wasallshesaid，pushinghimout。\"Goandsmoke！\"
Leftbyherself，LadyJanettookaturnintheroom，andconsideredalittle。
Horace\'sdiscontentwasnotunreasonable。Therewasreallynoexcuseforthedelayofwhichhecomplained。Whethertheyoungladyhadaspecialmotiveforhangingback，orwhethershewasmerelyfrettingbecauseshedidnotknowherownmind，itwas，ineithercase，necessarytocometoadistinctunderstanding，soonerorlater，ontheseriousquestionofthemarriage。Thedifficultywas，howtoapproachthesubjectwithoutgivingoffense。\"Idon\'tunderstandtheyoungwomenofthepresentgeneration，\"thoughtLadyJanet。\"Inmytime，whenwewerefondofaman，wewerereadytomarryhimatamoment\'snotice。Andthisisanageofprogress！Theyoughttobereadierstill。\"
Arriving，byherownprocessofinduction，atthisinevitableconclusion，shedecidedtotrywhatherinfluencecouldaccomplish，andtotrusttotheinspirationofthemomentforexertingitintherightway。\"Grace！\"shecalledout，approachingtheconservatorydoor。Thetall，lithefigureinitsgraydressglidedintoview，andstoodrelievedagainstthegreenbackgroundofthewinter-garden。
\"Didyourladyshipcallme？\"
\"Yes；Iwanttospeaktoyou。Comeandsitdownbyme。\"
WiththosewordsLadyJanetledthewaytoasofa，andplacedhercompanionbyherside。
[NextChapter]
[TableofContents]TheNewMagdalen，Chapter7CHAPTERVII。
THEMANISCOMING。
\"Youlookverypalethismorning，mychild。\"
Mercysighedwearily。\"Iamnotwell，\"sheanswered。\"Theslightestnoisesstartleme。IfeeltiredifIonlywalkacrosstheroom。\"
LadyJanetpattedherkindlyontheshoulder。\"Wemusttrywhatachangewilldoforyou。Whichshallitbe？theContinentorthesea-side？\"
\"Yourladyshipistookindtome。\"
\"Itisimpossibletobetookindtoyou。\"
Mercystarted。Thecolorflowedcharminglyoverherpaleface。\"Oh！\"sheexclaimed，impulsively。\"Saythatagain！\"
\"Sayitagain？\"repeatedLadyJanet，withalookofsurprise。
\"Yes！Don\'tthinkmepresuming；onlythinkmevain。Ican\'thearyousaytoooftenthatyouhavelearnedtolikeme。Isitreallyapleasuretoyoutohavemeinthehouse？HaveIalwaysbehavedwellsinceIhavebeenwithyou？\"
Theoneexcusefortheactofpersonation——ifexcusetherecouldbe——layintheaffirmativeanswertothosequestions。Itwouldbesomething，surely，tosayofthefalseGracethatthetrueGracecouldnothavebeenworthierofherwelcome，ifthetrueGracehadbeenreceivedatMablethorpeHouse！
LadyJanetwaspartlytouched，partlyamused，bytheextraordinaryearnestnessoftheappealthathadbeenmadetoher。
\"Haveyoubehavedwell？\"sherepeated。\"Mydear，youtalkasifyouwereachild！\"ShelaidherhandcaressinglyonMercy\'sarm，andcontinued，inagravertone：\"Itishardlytoomuchtosay，Grace，thatIblessthedaywhenyoufirstcametome。IdobelieveIcouldbehardlyfonderofyouifyouweremyowndaughter。\"
Mercysuddenlyturnedherheadaside，soastohideherface。LadyJanet，stilltouchingherarm，feltittremble。\"Whatisthematterwithyou？\"sheasked，inherabrupt，downrightmanner。\"Iamonlyverygratefultoyourladyship——thatisall。\"
Thewordswerespokenfaintly，inbrokentones。ThefacewasstillavertedfromLadyJanet\'sview。\"WhathaveIsaidtoprovokethis？\"wonderedtheoldlady。\"Issheinthemeltingmoodto-day？Ifsheis，nowisthetimetosayawordforHorace！\"Keepingthatexcellentobjectinview，LadyJanetapproachedthedelicatetopicwithallneedfulcautionatstarting。
\"Wehavegotonsowelltogether，\"sheresumed，\"thatitwillnotbeeasyforeitherofustofeelreconciledtoachangeinourlives。Atmyage，itwillfallhardestonme。WhatshallIdo，Grace，whenthedaycomesforpartingwithmyadopteddaughter？\"
Mercystarted，andshowedherfaceagain。Thetracesoftearswereinhereyes。\"WhyshouldIleaveyou？\"sheasked，inatoneofalarm。
\"Surelyyouknow！\"exclaimedLadyJanet。
\"IndeedIdon\'t。Tellmewhy。\"
\"AskHoracetotellyou。\"
Thelastallusionwastooplaintobemisunderstood。Mercy\'sheaddrooped。Shebegantotrembleagain。LadyJanetlookedatherinblankamazement。
\"IsthereanythingwrongbetweenHoraceandyou？\"sheasked。
\"No。\"
\"Youknowyourownheart，mydearchild？YouhavesurelynotencouragedHoracewithoutlovinghim？\"
\"Ohno！\"
\"Andyet——\"
ForthefirsttimeintheirexperienceofeachotherMercyventuredtointerruptherbenefactress。\"DearLadyJanet，\"sheinterposed，gently，\"Iaminnohurrytobemarried。Therewillbeplentyoftimeinthefuturetotalkofthat。Youhadsomethingyouwishedtosaytome。Whatisit？\"
ItwasnoeasymattertodisconcertLadyJanetRoy。Butthatlastquestionfairlyreducedhertosilence。Afterallthathadpassed，theresatheryoungcompanion，innocentofthefaintestsuspicionofthesubjectthatwastobediscussedbetweenthem！\"Whataretheyoungwomenofthepresenttimemadeof？\"thoughttheoldlady，utterlyatalosstoknowwhattosaynext。Mercywaited，onherside，withanimpenetrablepatiencewhichonlyaggravatedthedifficultiesoftheposition。Thesilencewasfastthreateningtobringtheinterviewtoasuddenanduntimelyend，whenthedoorfromthelibraryopened，andaman-servant，bearingalittlesilversalver，enteredtheroom。
LadyJanet\'srisingsenseofannoyanceinstantlyseizedontheservantasavictim。\"Whatdoyouwant？\"sheasked，sharply。\"Ineverrangforyou。\"
\"Aletter，mylady。Themessengerwaitsforananswer。\"
Themanpresentedhissalverwiththeletteronit，andwithdrew。
LadyJanetrecognizedthehandwritingontheaddresswithalookofsurprise。\"Excuseme，mydear，\"shesaid，pausing，withherold-fashionedcourtesy，beforesheopenedtheenvelope。Mercymadethenecessaryacknowledgment，andmovedawaytotheotherendoftheroom，littlethinkingthatthearrivalofthelettermarkedacrisisinherlife。LadyJanetputonherspectacles。\"Oddthatheshouldhavecomebackalready！\"shesaidtoherself，asshethrewtheemptyenvelopeonthetable。
Thelettercontainedtheselines，thewriterofthembeingnootherthanthemanwhohadpreachedinthechapeloftheRefuge：
\"DEARAUNT——IambackagaininLondonbeforemytime。Myfriendtherectorhasshortenedhisholiday，andhasresumedhisdutiesinthecountry。Iamafraidyouwillblamemewhenyouhearofthereasonswhichhavehastenedhisreturn。ThesoonerImakemyconfession，theeasierIshallfeel。Besides，Ihaveaspecialobjectinwishingtoseeyouassoonaspossible。MayIfollowmylettertoMablethorpeHouse？AndmayIpresentaladytoyou——aperfectstranger——inwhomIaminterested？PraysayYes，bythebearer，andobligeyouraffectionatenephew，\"JULIANGRAY。\"
LadyJanetreferredagainsuspiciouslytothesentenceintheletterwhichalludedtothe\"lady。\"
JulianGraywasheronlysurvivingnephew，thesonofafavoritesisterwhomshehadlost。Hewouldhaveheldnoveryexaltedpositionintheestimationofhisaunt——whoregardedhisviewsinpoliticsandreligionwiththestrongestaversion——butforhismarkedresemblancetohismother。Thispleadedforhimwiththeoldlady，aidedasitwasbythepridethatshesecretlyfeltintheearlycelebritywhichtheyoungclergymanhadachievedasawriterandapreacher。Thankstothesemitigatingcircumstances，andtoJulian\'sinexhaustiblegood-humor，theauntandthenephewgenerallymetonfriendlyterms。Apartfromwhatshecalled\"hisdetestableopinions，\"LadyJanetwassufficientlyinterestedinJuliantofeelsomecuriosityaboutthemysterious\"lady\"mentionedintheletter。Hadhedeterminedtosettleinlife？Washischoicealreadymade？Andifso，woulditprovetobeachoiceacceptabletothefamily？LadyJanet\'sbrightfaceshowedsignsofdoubtassheaskedherselfthatlastquestion。Julian\'sliberalviewswerecapableofleadinghimtodangerousextremes。Hisauntshookherheadominouslyassherosefromthesofaandadvancedtothelibrarydoor。
\"Grace，\"shesaid，pausingandturninground，\"Ihaveanotetowritetomynephew。Ishallbebackdirectly。\"
Mercyapproachedher，fromtheoppositeextremityoftheroom，withanexclamationofsurprise。
\"Yournephew？\"sherepeated。\"Yourladyshipnevertoldmeyouhadanephew。\"
LadyJanetlaughed。\"Imusthavehaditonthetipofmytonguetotellyou，overandoveragain，\"shesaid。\"Butwehavehadsomanythingstotalkabout——and，toownthetruth，mynephewisnotoneofmyfavoritesubjectsofconversation。Idon\'tmeanthatIdislikehim；Idetesthisprinciples，mydear，that\'sall。However，youshallformyourownopinionofhim；heiscomingtoseemeto-day。WaitheretillIreturn；IhavesomethingmoretosayaboutHorace。\"
Mercyopenedthelibrarydoorforher，closeditagain，andwalkedslowlytoandfroaloneintheroom，thinking。
WashermindrunningonLadyJanet\'snephew？No。LadyJanet\'sbriefallusiontoherrelativehadnotledherintoalludingtohimbyhisname。MercywasstillasignorantaseverthatthepreacherattheRefugeandthenephewofherbenefactresswereoneandthesameman。HermemorywasbusynowwiththetributewhichLadyJanethadpaidtoherattheoutsetoftheinterviewbetweenthem：\"Itishardlytoomuchtosay，Grace，thatIblessthedaywhenyoufirstcametome。\"Forthemomenttherewasbalmforherwoundedspiritintheremembranceofthosewords。GraceRoseberryherselfcouldsurelyhaveearnednosweeterpraisethanthepraisethatshehadwon。Thenextinstantshewasseizedwithasuddenhorrorofherownsuccessfulfraud。Thesenseofherdegradationhadneverbeensobitterlypresenttoherasatthatmoment。Ifshecouldonlyconfessthetruth——ifshecouldinnocentlyenjoyherharmlesslifeatMablethorpeHouse——whatagrateful，happywomanshemightbe！Wasitpossibleifshemadetheconfessiontotrusttoherowngoodconducttopleadherexcuse？No！Hercalmersensewarnedherthatitwashopeless。Theplaceshehadwon——honestlywon——inLadyJanet\'sestimationhadbeenobtainedbyatrick。Nothingcouldalter，nothingcouldexcuse，that。Shetookoutherhandkerchiefanddashedawaytheuselesstearsthathadgatheredinhereyes，andtriedtoturnherthoughtssomeotherway。WhatwasitLadyJanethadsaidongoingintothelibrary？ShehadsaidshewascomingbacktospeakaboutHorace。Mercyguessedwhattheobjectwas；sheknewbuttoowellwhatHoracewantedofher。Howwasshetomeettheemergency？InthenameofHeaven，whatwastobedone？Couldsheletthemanwholovedher——themanwhomsheloved——driftblindfoldintomarriagewithsuchawomanasshehadbeen？No！itwasherdutytowarnhim。How？Couldshebreakhisheart，couldshelayhislifewastebyspeakingthecruelwordswhichmightpartthemforever？\"Ican\'ttellhim！Iwon\'ttellhim！\"sheburstout，passionately。\"Thedisgraceofitwouldkillme！\"Hervaryingmoodchangedasthewordsescapedher。Arecklessdefianceofherownbetternature——thatsaddestofalltheformsinwhichawoman\'smiserycanexpressitself——filledherheartwithitspoisoningbitterness。Shesatdownagainonthesofawitheyesthatglitteredandcheekssuffusedwithanangryred。\"Iamnoworsethananotherwoman！\"shethought。\"Anotherwomanmighthavemarriedhimforhismoney。\"Thenextmomentthemiserableinsufficiencyofherownexcusefordeceivinghimshoweditshollowness，self-exposed。Shecoveredherfacewithherhands，andfoundrefuge——whereshehadoftenfoundrefugebefore——inthehelplessresignationofdespair。\"Oh，thatIhaddiedbeforeIenteredthishouse！Oh，thatIcoulddieandhavedonewithitatthismoment！\"Sothestrugglehadendedwithherhundredsoftimesalready。Soitendednow。
Thedoorleadingintothebilliard-roomopenedsoftly。HoraceHolmcrofthadwaitedtoheartheresultofLadyJanet\'sinterferenceinhisfavoruntilhecouldwaitnolonger。
Helookedincautiously，readytowithdrawagainunnoticedifthetwowerestilltalkingtogether。TheabsenceofLadyJanetsuggestedthattheinterviewhadcometoanend。Washisbetrothedwifewaitingalonetospeaktohimonhisreturntotheroom？Headvancedafewsteps。Shenevermoved；shesatheedless，absorbedinherthoughts。Weretheythoughtsofhim？Headvancedalittlenearer，andcalledtoher。
\"Grace！\"
Shesprangtoherfeet，withafaintcry。\"Iwishyouwouldn\'tstartleme，\"shesaid，irritably，sinkingbackonthesofa。\"Anysuddenalarmsetsmyheartbeatingasifitwouldchokeme。\"
Horacepleadedforpardonwithalover\'shumility。Inherpresentstateofnervousirritationshewasnottobeappeased。Shelookedawayfromhiminsilence。Entirelyignorantoftheparoxysmofmentalsufferingthroughwhichshehadjustpassed，heseatedhimselfbyherside，andaskedhergentlyifshehadseenLadyJanet。Shemadeanaffirmativeanswerwithanunreasonableimpatienceoftoneandmannerwhichwouldhavewarnedanolderandmoreexperiencedmantogivehertimebeforehespokeagain。Horacewasyoung，andwearyofthesuspensethathehadenduredintheotherroom。Heunwiselypressedherwithanotherquestion。
\"HasLadyJanetsaidanythingtoyou——\"
Sheturnedonhimangrilybeforehecouldfinishthesentence。\"Youhavetriedtomakeherhurrymeintomarryingyou，\"sheburstout。\"Iseeitinyourface！\"
Plainasthewarningwasthistime，Horacestillfailedtointerpretitintherightway。\"Don\'tbeangry！\"hesaid，good-humoredly。\"IsitsoveryinexcusabletoaskLadyJanettointercedeforme？Ihavetriedtopersuadeyouinvain。Mymotherandmysistershavepleadedforme，andyouturnadeafear——\"
Shecouldendureitnolonger。Shestampedherfootonthedoorwithhystericalvehemence。\"Iamwearyofhearingofyourmotherandyoursisters！\"shebrokeinviolently。\"Youtalkofnothingelse。\"
Itwasjustpossibletomakeonemoremistakeindealingwithher——andHoracemadeit。Hetookoffense，onhisside，androsefromthesofa。Hismotherandsisterswerehighauthoritiesinhisestimation；theyvariouslyrepresentedhisidealofperfectioninwomen。Hewithdrewtotheoppositeextremityoftheroom，andadministeredtheseverestreproofthathecouldthinkofonthespurofthemoment。
\"Itwouldbewell，Grace，ifyoufollowedtheexamplesetyoubymymotherandmysisters，\"hesaid。\"Theyarenotinthehabitofspeakingcruellytothosewholovethem。\"
Toallappearancetherebukefailedtoproducetheslightesteffect。Sheseemedtobeasindifferenttoitasifithadnotreachedherears。Therewasaspiritinher——amiserablespirit，bornofherownbitterexperience——whichroseinrevoltagainstHorace\'shabitualglorificationoftheladiesofhisfamily。\"Itsickensme，\"shethoughttoherself，\"tohearofthevirtuesofwomenwhohaveneverbeentempted！Whereisthemeritoflivingreputably，whenyourlifeisonecourseofprosperityandenjoyment？Hashismotherknownstarvation？Havehissistersbeenleftforsakeninthestreet？\"Ithardenedherheart——italmostreconciledhertodeceivinghim——whenhesethisrelativesupaspatternsforher。Wouldheneverunderstandthatwomendetestedhavingotherwomenexhibitedasexamplestothem？Shelookedroundathimwithasenseofimpatientwonder。Hewassittingattheluncheon-table，withhisbackturnedonher，andhisheadrestingonhishand。Ifhehadattemptedtorejoinher，shewouldhaverepelledhim；ifhehadspoken，shewouldhavemethimwithasharpreply。Hesatapartfromher，withoututteringaword。Inaman\'shandssilenceisthemostterribleofallproteststothewomanwholoveshim。Violenceshecanendure。Wordssheisalwaysreadytomeetbywordsonherside。Silenceconquersher。Afteramoment\'shesitation，Mercyleftthesofaandadvancedsubmissivelytowardthetable。Shehadoffendedhim——andshealonewasinfault。Howshouldheknowit，poorfellow，whenheinnocentlymortifiedher？Stepbystepshedrewcloserandcloser。Heneverlookedround；henevermoved。Shelaidherhandtimidlyonhisshoulder。\"Forgiveme，Horace，\"shewhisperedinhisear。\"Iamsufferingthismorning；Iamnotmyself。Ididn\'tmeanwhatIsaid。Prayforgiveme。\"Therewasnoresistingthecaressingtendernessofvoiceandmannerwhichaccompaniedthosewords。Helookedup；hetookherhand。Shebentoverhim，andtouchedhisforeheadwithherlips。\"AmIforgiven？\"sheasked。
\"Oh，mydarling，\"hesaid，\"ifyouonlyknewhowIlovedyou！\"
\"Idoknowit，\"sheanswered，gently，twininghishairroundherfinger，andarrangingitoverhisforeheadwherehishandhadruffledit。
Theywerecompletelyabsorbedineachother，ortheymust，atthatmoment，haveheardthelibrarydooropenattheotherendoftheroom。
LadyJanethadwrittenthenecessaryreplytohernephew，andhadreturned，faithfultoherengagement，topleadthecauseofHorace。Thefirstobjectthatmetherviewwasherclientpleading，withconspicuoussuccess，forhimself！\"Iamnotwanted，evidently，\"thoughttheoldlady。Shenoiselesslyclosedthedooragainandlefttheloversbythemselves。
Horacereturned，withunwisepersistency，tothequestionofthedeferredmarriage。Atthefirstwordsthathespokeshedrewbackdirectly——sadly，notangrily。
\"Don\'tpressmeto-day，\"shesaid；\"Iamnotwellto-day。\"
Heroseandlookedatheranxiously。\"Maylspeakaboutitto-morrow？\"
\"Yes，to-morrow。\"Shereturnedtothesofa，andchangedthesubject。\"WhatatimeLadyJanetisaway！\"shesaid。\"Whatcanbekeepinghersolong？\"
HoracedidhisbesttoappearinterestedinthequestionofLadyJanet\'sprolongedabsence。\"Whatmadeherleaveyou？\"heasked，standingatthebackofthesofaandleaningoverher。
\"Shewentintothelibrarytowriteanotetohernephew。By-the-by，whoishernephew？\"
\"Isitpossibleyoudon\'tknow？\"
\"Indeed，Idon\'t。\"
\"Youhaveheardofhim，nodoubt，\"saidHorace。\"LadyJanet\'snephewisacelebratedman。\"Hepaused，andstoopingnearertoher，liftedalove-lockthatlayoverhershoulderandpressedittohislips。\"LadyJanet\'snephew，\"heresumed，\"isJulianGray。\"
Shestartedoffherseat，andlookedroundathiminblank，bewilderedterror，asifshedoubtedtheevidenceofherownsenses。
Horacewascompletelytakenbysurprise。\"MydearGrace！\"heexclaimed；\"whathaveIsaidordonetostartleyouthistime？\"
Sheheldupherhandforsilence。\"LadyJanet\'snephewisJulianGray，\"sherepeated；\"andIonlyknowitnow！\"
Horace\'sperplexityincreased。\"Mydarling，nowyoudoknowit，whatistheretoalarmyou？\"heasked。
Therewasenoughtoalarmtheboldestwomanliving——insuchaposition，andwithsuchatemperamentashers。TohermindthepersonationofGraceRoseberryhadsuddenlyassumedanewaspect：theaspectofafatality。IthadledherblindfoldtothehouseinwhichsheandthepreacherattheRefugeweretomeet。Hewascoming——themanwhohadreachedherinmostheart，whohadinfluencedherwholelife！Wasthedayofreckoningcomingwithhim？
\"Don\'tnoticeme，\"shesaid，faintly。\"Ihavebeenillallthemorning。Yousawityourselfwhenyoucameinhere；eventhesoundofyourvoicealarmedme。Ishallbebetterdirectly。IamafraidIstartledyou？\"
\"MydearGrace，italmostlookedasifyouwereterrifiedatthesoundofJulian\'sname！Heisapubliccelebrity，Iknow；andIhaveseenladiesstartandstareathimwhenheenteredaroom。Butyoulookedperfectlypanic-stricken。\"
Sheralliedhercouragebyadesperateeffort；shelaughed——aharsh，uneasylaugh——andstoppedhimbyputtingherhandoverhismouth。\"Absurd！\"shesaid，lightly。\"AsifMr。JulianGrayhadanythingtodowithmylooks！Iambetteralready。Seeforyourself！\"Shelookedroundathimagainwithaghastlygayety；andreturned，withadesperateassumptionofindifference，tothesubjectofLadyJanet\'snephew。\"OfcourseIhaveheardofhim，\"shesaid。\"Doyouknowthatheisexpectedhereto-day？Don\'tstandtherebehindme——it\'ssohardtotalktoyou。Comeandsitdown。\"
Heobeyed——butshehadnotquitesatisfiedhimyet。Hisfacehadnotlostitsexpressionofanxietyandsurprise。Shepersistedinplayingherpart，determinedtosetatrestinhimanypossiblesuspicionthatshehadreasonsofherownforbeingafraidofJulianGray。\"Tellmeaboutthisfamousmanofyours，\"shesaid，puttingherarmfamiliarlythroughhisarm。\"Whatishelike？\"
ThecaressingactionandtheeasytonehadtheireffectonHorace。Hisfacebegantoclear；heansweredherlightlyonhisside。
\"Prepareyourselftomeetthemostunclericalofclergymen，\"hesaid。\"Julianisalostsheepamongtheparsons，andathorninthesideofhisbishop。Preaches，iftheyaskhim，inDissenters\'chapels。Declinestosetupanypretensionstopriestlyauthorityandpriestlypower。Goesaboutdoinggoodonaplanofhisown。Isquiteresignednevertorisetothehighplacesinhisprofession。Saysit\'srisinghighenoughforhimtobetheArchdeaconoftheafflicted，theDeanofthehungry，andtheBishopofthepoor。Withallhisoddities，asgoodafellowaseverlived。Immenselypopularwiththewomen。Theyallgotohimforadvice。Iwishyouwouldgo，too。\"
Mercychangedcolor。\"Whatdoyoumean？\"sheasked，sharply。
\"Julianisfamousforhispowersofpersuasion，\"saidHorace，smiling。\"Ifhespoketoyou，Grace，hewouldprevailonyoutofixtheday。SupposeIaskJuliantopleadforme？\"
Hemadetheproposalinjest。Mercy\'sunquietmindaccepteditasaddressedtoherinearnest。\"Hewilldoit，\"shethought，withasenseofindescribableterror，\"ifIdon\'tstophim！\"Thereisbutonechanceforher。TheonlycertainwaytopreventHoracefromappealingtohisfriendwastograntwhatHoracewishedforbeforehisfriendenteredthehouse。Shelaidherhandonhisshoulder；shehidtheterribleanxietiesthatweredevouringherunderanassumptionofcoquetrypainfulandpitiabletosee。
\"Don\'ttalknonsense！\"shesaid，gayly。\"Whatwerewesayingjustnow——beforewebegantospeakofMr。JulianGray？\"
\"WewerewonderingwhathadbecomeofLadyJanet，\"Horacereplied。
Shetappedhimimpatientlyontheshoulder。\"No！no！Itwassomethingyousaidbeforethat。\"
Hereyescompletedwhatherwordshadleftunsaid。Horace\'sarmstoleroundherwaist。
\"IwassayingthatIlovedyou，\"heanswered，inawhisper。
\"Onlythat？\"
\"Areyoutiredofhearingit？\"
Shesmiledcharmingly。\"Areyousoverymuchinearnestabout——about——\"Shestopped，andlookedawayfromhim。
\"Aboutourmarriage？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Itistheonedearestwishofmylife。\"
\"Really？\"
\"Really。\"
Therewasapause。Mercy\'sfingerstoyednervouslywiththetrinketsatherwatch-chain。\"Whenwouldyoulikeittobe？\"shesaid，verysoftly，withherwholeattentionfixedonthewatch-chain。
Shehadneverspoken，shehadneverlooked，asshespokeandlookednow。Horacewasafraidtobelieveinhisowngoodfortune。\"Oh，Grace！\"heexclaimed，\"youarenottriflingwithme？\"
\"WhatmakesyouthinkIamtriflingwithyou？\"
Horacewasinnocentenoughtoanswerherseriously。\"Youwouldnotevenletmespeakofourmarriagejustnow，\"hesaid。
\"NevermindwhatIdidjustnow，\"sheretorted，petulantly。\"Theysaywomenarechangeable。Itisoneofthedefectsofthesex。\"
\"Heavenbepraisedforthedefectsofthesex！\"criedHorace，withdevoutsincerity。\"Doyoureallyleavemetodecide？\"
\"Ifyouinsistonit。\"
Horaceconsideredforamoment——thesubjectbeingthelawofmarriage。\"Wemaybemarriedbylicenseinafortnight，\"hesaid。\"Ifixthisdayfortnight。\"
Sheheldupherhandsinprotest。
\"Whynot？Mylawyerisready。Therearenopreparationstomake。Yousaidwhenyouacceptedmethatitwastobeaprivatemarriage。\"
Mercywasobligedtoownthatshehadcertainlysaidthat。
\"Wemightbemarriedatonce——ifthelawwouldonlyletus。Thisdayfortnight！Say——Yes！\"Hedrewherclosertohim。Therewasapause。Themaskofcoquetry——badlywornfromthefirst——droppedfromher。Hersadgrayeyesrestedcompassionatelyonhiseagerface。\"Don\'tlooksoserious！\"hesaid。\"Onlyonelittleword，Grace！OnlyYes。\"
Shesighed，andsaidit。Hekissedherpassionately。Itwasonlybyaresoluteeffortthatshereleasedherself。
\"Leaveme！\"shesaid，faintly。\"Prayleavemebymyself！\"
Shewasinearnest——strangelyinearnest。Shewastremblingfromheadtofoot。Horacerosetoleaveher。\"IwillfindLadyJanet，\"hesaid；\"IlongtoshowthedearoldladythatIhaverecoveredmyspirits，andtotellherwhy。\"Heturnedroundatthelibrarydoor。\"Youwon\'tgoaway？Youwillletmeseeyouagainwhenyouaremorecomposed？\"
\"Iwillwaithere，\"saidMercy。
Satisfiedwiththatreply，helefttheroom。
Herhandsdroppedonherlap；herheadsankbackwearilyonthecushionsattheheadofthesofa。Therewasadazedsensationinher：hermindfeltstunned。Shewonderedvacantlywhethershewasawakeordreaming。HadshereallysaidthewordwhichpledgedhertomarryHoraceHolmcroftinafortnight？Afortnight！Somethingmighthappeninthattimetopreventit：shemightfindherwayinafortnightoutoftheterriblepositioninwhichshestood。Anyway，comewhatmightofit，shehadchosenthepreferablealternativetoaprivateinterviewwithJulianGray。Sheraisedherselffromherrecumbentpositionwithastart，astheideaoftheinterview——dismissedforthelastfewminutes——possesseditselfagainofhermind。HerexcitedimaginationfiguredJulianGrayaspresentintheroomatthatmoment，speakingtoherasHoracehadproposed。Shesawhimseatedcloseatherside——thismanwhohadshakenhertothesoulwhenhewasinthepulpit，andwhenshewaslisteningtohimunseenattheotherendofthechapel——shesawhimclosebyher，lookinghersearchinglyintheface；seeinghershamefulsecretinhereyes；hearingitinhervoice；feelingitinhertremblinghands；forcingitoutofherwordbyword，tillshefellprostrateathisfeetwiththeconfessionofthefraud。Herheaddroppedagainonthecushions；shehidherfaceinhorrorofthescenewhichherexcitedfancyhadconjuredup。Evennow，whenshehadmadethatdreadedinterviewneedless，couldshefeelsuremeetinghimonlyonthemostdistanttermsofnotbetrayingherself？Shecouldnotfeelsure。Somethinginhershudderedandshrankatthebareideaoffindingherselfinthesameroomwithhim。Shefeltit，sheknewit：herguiltyconscienceownedandfeareditsmasterinJulianGray！
Theminutespassed。Theviolenceofheragitationbegantotellphysicallyonherweakenedframe。
Shefoundherselfcryingsilentlywithoutknowingwhy。Aweightwasonherhead，awearinesswasinallherlimbs。Shesankloweronthecushions——hereyesclosed——themonotonoustickingoftheclockonthemantelpiecegrewdrowsilyfainterandfainteronherear。Littlebylittleshedroppedintoslumber——slumbersolightthatshestartedwhenamorselofcoalfellintothegrate，orwhenthebirdschirpedandtwitteredintheiraviaryinthewinter-garden。
LadyJanetandHoracecamein。Shewasfaintlyconsciousofpersonsintheroom。Afteranintervalsheopenedhereyes，andhalfrosetospeaktothem。Theroomwasemptyagain。Theyhadstolenoutsoftlyandlefthertorepose。Hereyesclosedoncemore。Shedroppedbackintoslumber，andfromslumber，inthefavoringwarmthandquietoftheplace，intodeepanddreamlesssleep。
[NextChapter]
[TableofContents]TheNewMagdalen，Chapter8CHAPTERVIII。
THEMANAPPEARS。
AfteranintervalofrestMercywasarousedbytheshuttingofaglassdooratthefarendoftheconservatory。Thisdoor，leadingintothegarden，wasusedonlybytheinmatesofthehouse，orbyoldfriendsprivilegedtoenterthereception-roomsbythatway。AssumingthateitherHoraceorLadyJanetwasreturningtothedining-room，Mercyraisedherselfalittleonthe\'sofaandlistened。
Thevoiceofoneofthemen-servantscaughtherear。Itwasansweredbyanothervoice，whichinstantlysethertremblingineverylimb。
Shestartedup，andlistenedagaininspeechlessterror。Yes！therewasnomistakingit。ThevoicethatwasansweringtheservantwastheunforgottenvoicewhichshehadheardattheRefuge。Thevisitorwhohadcomeinbytheglassdoorwas——JulianGray！
Hisrapidfootstepsadvancednearerandnearertothedining-room。Sherecoveredherselfsufficientlytohurrytothelibrarydoor。Herhandshooksothatshefailedatfirsttoopenit。Shehadjustsucceededwhensheheardhimagain——speakingtoher。
\"Praydon\'trunaway！Iamnothingveryformidable。OnlyLadyJanet\'snephew——JulianGray。\"
Sheturnedslowly，spell-boundbyhisvoice，andconfrontedhiminsilence。
Hewasstanding，hatinhand，attheentrancetotheconservatory，dressedinblack，andwearingawhitecravat，butwithastudiousavoidanceofanythingspeciallyclericalinthemakeandformofhisclothes。Youngashewas，thereweremarksofcarealreadyonhisface，andthehairwasprematurelythinandscantyoverhisforehead。Hisslight，activefigurewasofnomorethanthemiddleheight。Hiscomplexionwaspale。Thelowerpartofhisface，withoutbeardorwhiskers，wasinnowayremarkable。Anaverageobserverwouldhavepassedhimbywithoutnoticebutforhiseyes。Thesealonemadeamarkedmanofhim。Theunusualsizeoftheorbitsinwhichtheyweresetwasenoughofitselftoattractattention；itgaveagrandeurtohishead，whichthehead，broadandfirmasitwas，didnotpossess。Astotheeyesthemselves，thesoft，lustrousbrightnessofthemdefiedanalysisNotwopeoplecouldagreeabouttheircolor；dividedopiniondeclaringalternatelythattheyweredarkgrayorblack。Paintershadtriedtoreproducethem，andhadgivenuptheeffort，indespairofseizinganyoneexpressioninthebewilderingvarietyofexpressionswhichtheypresentedtoview。Theywereeyesthatcouldcharmatonemomentandterrifyatanother；eyesthatcouldsetpeoplelaughingorcryingalmostatwill。Inactionandinreposetheywereirresistiblealike。WhentheyfirstdescriedMercyrunningtothedoor，theybrightenedgaylywiththemerrimentofachild。Whensheturnedandfacedhim，theychangedinstantly，softeningandglowingastheymutelyownedtheinterestandtheadmirationwhichthefirstsightofherhadrousedinhim。Histoneandmanneralteredatthesametime。Headdressedherwiththedeepestrespectwhenhespokehisnextwords。
\"Letmeentreatyoutofavormebyresumingyourseat，\"hesaid。\"AndletmeaskyourpardonifIhavethoughtlesslyintrudedonyou。\"
Hepaused，waitingforherreplybeforeheadvancedintotheroom。Stillspell-boundbyhisvoice，sherecoveredself-controlenoughtobowtohimandtoresumeherplaceonthesofa。Itwasimpossibletoleavehimnow。Afterlookingatherforamoment，heenteredtheroomwithoutspeakingtoheragain。Shewasbeginningtoperplexaswellastointeresthim。\"Nocommonsorrow，\"hethought，\"hassetitsmarkonthatwoman\'sface；nocommonheartbeatsinthatwoman\'sbreast。Whocanshebe？\"
Mercyralliedhercourage，andforcedherselftospeaktohim。
\"LadyJanetisinthelibrary，Ibelieve，\"shesaid，timidly。\"ShallItellheryouarehere？\"
\"Don\'tdisturbLadyJanet，anddon\'tdisturbyourself。\"Withthatanswerheapproachedtheluncheon-table，delicatelygivinghertimetofeelmoreatherease。HetookupwhatHoracehadleftofthebottleofclaret，andpoureditintoaglass。\"Myaunt\'sclaretshallrepresentmyauntforthepresent，\"hesaid，smiling，asheturnedtowardheroncemore。\"Ihavehadalongwalk，andImayventuretohelpmyselfinthishousewithoutinvitation。Isituselesstoofferyouanything？\"
Mercymadethenecessaryreply。Shewasbeginningalready，afterherremarkableexperienceofhim，towonderathiseasymannersandhislightwayoftalking。
Heemptiedhisglasswiththeairofamanwhothoroughlyunderstoodandenjoyedgoodwine。\"Myaunt\'sclaretisworthyofmyaunt，\"hesaid，withcomicgravity，ashesetdowntheglass。\"BotharethegenuineproductsofNature。\"Heseatedhimselfatthetableandlookedcriticallyatthedifferentdishesleftonit。Onedishespeciallyattractedhisattention。\"Whatisthis？\"hewenton。\"AFrenchpie！ItseemsgrosslyunfairtotasteFrenchwineandtopassoverFrenchpiewithoutnotice。\"Hetookupaknifeandfork，andenjoyedthepieascriticallyashehadenjoyedthewine。\"WorthyoftheGreatNation！\"heexclaimed，withenthusiasm。\"VivelaFrance！\"
Mercylistenedandlooked，ininexpressibleastonishment。Hewasutterlyunlikethepicturewhichherfancyhaddrawnofhimineverydaylife。Takeoffhiswhitecravat，andnobodywouldhavediscoveredthatthisfamouspreacherwasaclergyman！
Hehelpedhimselftoanotherplatefulofthepie，andspokemoredirectlytoMercy，alternatelyeatingandtalkingascomposedlyandpleasantlyasiftheyhadknowneachotherforyears。
\"IcameherebywayofKensingtonGardens，\"hesaid。\"ForsometimepastIhavebeenlivinginaflat，ugly，barren，agriculturaldistrict。Youcan\'tthinkhowpleasantIfoundthepicturepresentedbytheGardens，asacontrast。Theladiesintheirrichwinterdresses，thesmartnurserymaids，thelovelychildren，theevermovingcrowdskatingontheiceoftheRoundPond；itwasallsoexhilaratingafterwhatIhavebeenusedto，thatIactuallycaughtmyselfwhistlingasIwalkedthroughthebrilliantscene！Inmytimeboysusedalwaystowhistlewhentheywereingoodspirits，andIhavenotgotoverthehabityet。WhodoyouthinkImetwhenIwasinfullsong？\"
Aswellasheramazementwouldlether，Mercyexcusedherselffromguessing。ShehadneverinallherlifebeforespokentoanylivingbeingsoconfusedlyandsounintelligentlyasshenowspoketoJulianGray！
Hewentonmoregaylythanever，withoutappearingtonoticetheeffectthathehadproducedonher。
\"WhomdidImeet，\"herepeated，\"whenIwasinfullsong？Mybishop！IfIhadbeenwhistlingasacredmelody，hislordshipmightperhapshaveexcusedmyvulgarityoutofconsiderationformymusic。Unfortunately，thecompositionIwasexecutingatthemomentIamoneoftheloudestoflivingwhistlerswasbyVerdi——\"LaDonnaeMobile\"——familiar，nodoubt，tohislordshiponthestreetorgans。Herecognizedthetune，poorman，andwhenItookoffmyhattohimhelookedtheotherway。Strange，inaworldthatisburstingwithsinandsorrow，totreatsuchatrifleseriouslyasacheerfulclergymanwhistlingatune！\"Hepushedawayhisplateashesaidthelastwords，andwentonsimplyandearnestlyinanalteredtone。\"Ihaveneverbeenable，\"hesaid，\"toseewhyweshouldassertourselvesamongothermenasbelongingtoaparticularcaste，andasbeingforbidden，inanyharmlessthing，todoasotherpeopledo。Thedisciplesofoldsetusnosuchexample；theywerewiserandbetterthanweare。Iventuretosaythatoneoftheworstobstaclesinthewayofourdoinggoodamongourfellow-creaturesisraisedbythemereassumptionoftheclericalmannerandtheclericalvoice。Formypart，IsetupnoclaimtobemoresacredandmorereverendthananyotherChristianmanwhodoeswhatgoodhecan。\"HeglancedbrightlyatMercy，lookingathiminhelplessperplexity。Thespiritoffuntookpossessionofhimagain。\"AreyouaRadical？\"heasked，withahumoroustwinkleinhislargelustrouseyes。\"Iam！\"
Mercytriedhardtounderstandhim，andtriedinvain。Couldthisbethepreacherwhosewordshadcharmed，purified，ennobledher？Wasthisthemanwhosesermonhaddrawntearsfromwomenaboutherwhomsheknewtobeshamelessandhardenedincrime？Yes！Theeyesthatnowrestedonherhumorouslywerethebeautifuleyeswhichhadoncelookedintohersoul。Thevoicethathadjustaddressedajestingquestiontoherwasthedeepandmellowvoicewhichhadoncethrilledhertotheheart。Inthepulpithewasanangelofmercy；outofthepulpithewasaboyletloosefromschool。
\"Don\'tletmestartleyou，\"hesaid，good-naturedly，noticingherconfusion。\"Publicopinionhascalledmebyhardernamesthanthenameof\'Radical。\'Ihavebeenspendingmytimelately——asItoldyoujustnow——inanagriculturaldistrict。Mybusinesstherewastoperformthedutyfortherectoroftheplace，whowantedaholiday。Howdoyouthinktheexperimenthasended？TheSquireoftheparishcallsmeaCommunist；thefarmersdenouncemeasanIncendiary；myfriendtherectorhasbeenrecalledinahurry，andIhavenowthehonorofspeakingtoyouinthecharacterofabanishedmanwhohasmadearespectableneighborhoodtoohottoholdhim。\"
Withthatfrankavowalhelefttheluncheontable，andtookachairnearMercy。
\"Youwillnaturallybeanxious，\"hewenton，\"toknowwhatmyoffensewas。DoyouunderstandPoliticalEconomyandtheLawsofSupplyandDemand？\"
Mercyownedthatshedidnotunderstandthem。
\"NomoredoI——inaChristiancountry，\"hesaid。\"Thatwasmyoffense。Youshallhearmyconfessionjustasmyauntwillhearitintwowords。\"Hepausedforalittlewhile；hisvariablemannerchangedagain。Mercy，shylylookingathim，sawanewexpressioninhiseyes——anexpressionwhichrecalledherfirstremembranceofhimasnothinghadrecalledityet。\"Ihadnoidea，\"heresumed，\"ofwhatthelifeofafarm-laborerreallywas，insomepartsofEngland，untilIundertooktherector\'sduties。NeverbeforehadIseensuchdirewretchednessasIsawinthecottages。NeverbeforehadImetwithsuchnoblepatienceundersufferingasIfoundamongthepeople。Themartyrsofoldcouldendure，anddie。Iaskedmyselfiftheycouldendure，andlive，likethemartyrswhomIsawroundme？——live，weekafterweek，monthaftermonth，yearafteryear，onthebrinkofstarvation；live，andseetheirpiningchildrengrowinguproundthem，toworkandwantintheirturn；live，withthepoorman\'sparishprisontolooktoastheend，whenhungerandlaborhavedonetheirworst！WasGod\'sbeautifulearthmadetoholdsuchmiseryasthis？Icanhardlythinkofit，Icanhardlyspeakofit，evennow，withdryeyes！\"
Hisheadsankonhisbreast。Hewaited——masteringhisemotionbeforehespokeagain。Now，atlast，sheknewhimoncemore。Nowhewastheman，indeed，whomshehadexpectedtosee。Unconsciouslyshesatlistening，withhereyesfixedonhisface，withhishearthangingonhiswords，intheveryattitudeoftheby-gonedaywhenshehadheardhimforthefirsttime！