Mercystarted，andfaintlyflushed，asthesecondvoiceansweredthefirst。Shestoodirresoluteclosetothebilliard-room，hesitatingwhattodonext。
Afteranintervalthesecondvoicemadeitselfheardagain，advancingnearertothedining-room：\"Areyouthere，aunt？\"itaskedcautiously。Therewasamoment\'spause。Thenthevoicespokeforthethirdtime，soundinglouderandnearer。\"Areyouthere？\"itreiterated；\"Ihavesomethingtotellyou。\"Mercysummonedherresolutionandanswered：\"LadyJanetisnothere。\"Sheturnedasshespoketowardtheconservatorydoor，andconfrontedonthethresholdJulianGray。
Theylookedatoneanotherwithoutexchangingawordoneitherside。Thesituation——forwidelydifferentreasons——wasequallyembarrassingtobothofthem。
There——asJuliansawher——wasthewomanforbiddentohim，thewomanwhomheloved。
There——asMercysawhim——wasthemanwhomshedreaded，themanwhoseactionsassheinterpretedthemprovedthathesuspectedher。
Onthesurfaceofit，theincidentswhichhadmarkedtheirfirstmeetingwerenowexactlyrepeated，withtheonedifferencethattheimpulsetowithdrawthistimeappearedtobeontheman\'ssideandnotonthewoman\'s。ItwasMercywhospokefirst。\"DidyouexpecttofindLadyJanethere？\"sheasked，constrainedly。
Heanswered，onhispart，moreconstrainedlystill。
\"Itdoesn\'tmatter，\"hesaid。\"Anothertimewilldo。\"
Hedrewbackashemadethereply。Sheadvanceddesperately，withthedeliberateintentionofdetaininghimbyspeakingagain。
Theattemptwhichhehadmadetowithdraw，theconstraintinhismannerwhenhehadanswered，hadinstantlyconfirmedherinthefalseconvictionthathe，andhealone，hadguessedthetruth！Ifshewasright——ifhehadsecretlymadediscoveriesabroadwhichplacedherentirelyathismercy——theattempttoinduceGracetoconsenttoacompromisewithherwouldbemanifestlyuseless。HerfirstandforemostinterestnowwastofindouthowshereallystoodintheestimationofJulianGray。Inaterrorofsuspense，thatturnedhercoldfromheadtofoot，shestoppedhimonhiswayout，andspoketohimwiththepiteouscounterfeitofasmile。
\"LadyJanetisreceivingsomevisitors，\"shesaid。\"Ifyouwillwaithere，shewillbebackdirectly。\"
Theeffortofhidingheragitationfromhimhadbroughtapassingcolorintohercheeks。Wornandwastedasshewas，thespellofherbeautywasstrongenoughtoholdhimagainsthisownwill。AllhehadtotellLadyJanetwasthathehadmetoneofthegardenersintheconservatory，andhadcautionedhimaswellasthelodge-keeper。Itwouldhavebeeneasytowritethis，andtosendthenotetohisauntonquittingthehouse。Forthesakeofhisownpeaceofmind，forthesakeofhisdutytoHorace，hewasdoublyboundtomakethefirstpoliteexcusethatoccurredtohim，andtoleaveherashehadfoundher，aloneintheroom。Hemadetheattempt，andhesitated。Despisinghimselffordoingit，heallowedhimselftolookather。Theireyesmet。Juliansteppedintothedining-room。
\"IfIamnotintheway，\"hesaid，confusedly，\"Iwillwait，asyoukindlypropose。\"
Shenoticedhisembarrassment；shesawthathewasstronglyrestraininghimselffromlookingatheragain。Herowneyesdroppedtothegroundasshemadethediscovery。Herspeechfailedher；herheartthrobbedfasterandfaster。
\"IfIlookathimagain\"wasthethoughtinhermind\"IshallfallathisfeetandtellhimallthatIhavedone！\"
\"IfIlookatheragain\"wasthethoughtinhismind\"IshallfallatherfeetandownthatIaminlovewithher！\"
Withdowncasteyesheplacedachairforher。Withdowncasteyesshebowedtohimandtookit。Adeadsilencefollowed。Neverwasanyhumanmisunderstandingmoreintricatelycompletethanthemisunderstandingwhichhadnowestablisheditselfbetweenthosetwo。
Mercy\'swork-basketwasnearher。Shetookit，andgainedtimeforcomposingherselfbypretendingtoarrangethecoloredwools。Hestoodbehindherchair，lookingatthegracefulturnofherhead，lookingattherichmassesofherhair。Hereviledhimselfastheweakestofmen，asthefalsestoffriends，forstillremainingnearher——andyetheremained。
Thesilencecontinued。Thebilliard-roomdooropenedagainnoiselessly。Thefaceofthelisteningwomanappearedstealthilybehindit。
AtthesamemomentMercyrousedherselfandspoke：\"Won\'tyousitdown？\"shesaid，softly，stillnotlookingroundathim，stillbusywithherbasketofwools。
Heturnedtogetachair——turnedsoquicklythathesawthebilliard-roomdoormove，asGraceRoseberrycloseditagain。
\"Isthereanyoneinthatroom？\"heasked，addressingMercy。
\"Idon\'tknow，\"sheanswered。\"IthoughtIsawthedooropenandshutagainalittlewhileago。\"
Headvancedatoncetolookintotheroom。AshedidsoMercydroppedoneofherballsofwool。Hestoppedtopickitupforher——thenthrewopenthedoorandlookedintothebilliard-room。Itwasempty。
Hadsomepersonbeenlistening，andhadthatpersonretreatedintimetoescapediscovery？Theopendoorofthesmoking-roomshowedthatroomalsotobeempty。Athirddoorwasopen——thedoorofthesidehall，leadingintothegrounds。Julianclosedandlockedit，andreturnedtothedining-room。
\"Icanonlysuppose，\"hesaidtoMercy，\"thatthebilliard-roomdoorwasnotproperlyshut，andthatthedraughtofairfromthehallmusthavemovedit。\"Sheacceptedtheexplanationinsilence。Hewas，toallappearance，notquitesatisfiedwithithimself。Foramomentortwohelookedabouthimuneasily。Thentheoldfascinationfasteneditsholdonhimagain。Oncemorehelookedatthegracefulturnofherhead，attherichmassesofherhair。Thecouragetoputthecriticalquestiontohim，nowthatshehadluredhimintoremainingintheroom，wasstillacouragethatfailedher。Sheremainedasbusyaseverwithherwork——toobusytolookathim；toobusytospeaktohim。Thesilencebecameunendurable。Hebrokeitbymakingacommonplaceinquiryafterherhealth。
\"IamwellenoughtobeashamedoftheanxietyIhavecausedandthetroubleIhavegiven，\"sheanswered。\"To-dayIhavegotdownstairsforthefirsttime。Iamtryingtodoalittlework。\"Shelookedintothebasket。Thevariousspecimensofwoolinitwerepartlyinballsandpartlyinlooseskeins。Theskeinsweremixedandtangled。\"Hereissadconfusion！\"sheexclaimed，timidly，withafaintsmile。\"HowamItosetitrightagain？\"
\"Letmehelpyou，\"saidJulian。
\"You！\"
\"Whynot？\"heasked，withamomentaryreturnofthequainthumorwhichsherememberedsowell。\"YouforgetthatIamacurate。Curatesareprivilegedtomakethemselvesusefultoyoungladies。Letmetry。\"
Hetookastoolatherfeet，andsethimselftounraveloneofthetangledskeins。Inaminutethewoolwasstretchedonhishands，andthelooseendwasreadyforMercytowind。Therewassomethinginthetrivialaction，andinthehomelyattentionthatitimplied，whichinsomedegreequietedherfearofhim。Shebegantorollthewooloffhishandsintoaball。Thusoccupied，shesaidthedaringwordswhichweretoleadhimlittlebylittleintobetrayinghissuspicions，ifhedidindeedsuspectthetruth。
[NextChapter]
[TableofContents]TheNewMagdalen，Chapter17CHAPTERXVII。
THEGUARDIANANGEL。
\"YouwereherewhenIfainted，wereyounot？\"Mercybegan。\"Youmustthinkmeasadcoward，evenforawoman。\"
Heshookhishead。\"Iamfarfromthinkingthat，\"hereplied。\"Nocouragecouldhavesustainedtheshockwhichfellonyou。Idon\'twonderthatyoufainted。Idon\'twonderthatyouhavebeenill。\"
Shepausedinrollinguptheballofwool。Whatdidthosewordsofunexpectedsympathymean？Washelayingatrapforher？Urgedbythatseriousdoubt，shequestionedhimmoreboldly。
\"Horacetellsmeyouhavebeenabroad，\"shesaid。\"Didyouenjoyyourholiday？\"
\"Itwasnoholiday。IwentabroadbecauseIthoughtitrighttomakecertaininquiries——\"Hestoppedthere，unwillingtoreturntoasubjectthatwaspainfultoher。
Hervoicesank，herfingerstrembledroundtheballofwool；butshemanagedtogoon。
\"Didyouarriveatanyresults？\"sheasked。
\"Atnoresultsworthmentioning。\"
Thecautionofthatreplyrenewedherworstsuspicionsofhim。Insheerdespair，shespokeoutplainly。
\"Iwanttoknowyouropinion——\"shebegan。
\"Gently！\"saidJulian。\"Youareentanglingthewoolagain。\"
\"Iwanttoknowyouropinionofthepersonwhosoterriblyfrightenedme。Doyouthinkher——\"
\"DoIthinkher——what？\"
\"Doyouthinkheranadventuress？\"
Asshesaidthosewordsthebranchesofashrubintheconservatorywerenoiselesslypartedbyahandinablackglove。ThefaceofGraceRoseberryappeareddimlybehindtheleaves。Undiscovered，shehadescapedfromthebilliard-room，andhadstolenherwayintotheconservatoryasthesaferhiding-placeofthetwo。Behindtheshrubshecouldseeaswellaslisten。Behindtheshrubshewaitedaspatientlyasever。
\"Itakeamoremercifulview，\"Juliananswered。\"Ibelievesheisactingunderadelusion。Idon\'tblameher：Ipityher。\"
\"Youpityher？\"AsMercyrepeatedthewords，shetoreoffJulian\'shandsthelastfewlengthsofwoolleft，andthrewtheimperfectlywoundskeinbackintothebasket。\"Doesthatmean，\"sheresumed，abruptly，\"thatyoubelieveher？\"
Julianrosefromhisseat，andlookedatMercyinastonishment。
\"Goodheavens，MissRoseberry！whatputsuchanideaasthatintoyourhead？\"
\"Iamlittlebetterthanastrangertoyou，\"sherejoined，withanefforttoassumeajestingtone。\"Youmetthatpersonbeforeyoumetwithme。Itisnotsoveryfarfrompityinghertobelievingher。HowcouldIfeelsurethatyoumightnotsuspectme？\"
\"Suspectyou！\"heexclaimed。\"Youdon\'tknowhowyoudistress，howyoushockme。Suspectyou！Thebareideaofitneverenteredmymind。Themandoesn\'tlivewhotrustsyoumoreimplicitly，whobelievesinyoumoredevotedly，thanIdo。\"
Hiseyes，hisvoice，hismanner，alltoldherthatthosewordscamefromtheheart。Shecontrastedhisgenerousconfidenceinhertheconfidenceofwhichshewasunworthywithherungraciousdistrustofhim。NotonlyhadshewrongedGraceRoseberry——shehadwrongedJulianGray。Couldshedeceivehimasshehaddeceivedtheothers？Couldshemeanlyacceptthatimplicittrust，thatdevotedbelief？Neverhadshefeltthebasesubmissionswhichherownimposturecondemnedhertoundergowithaloathingofthemsooverwhelmingastheloathingthatshefeltnow。Inhorrorofherself，sheturnedherheadasideinsilenceandshrankfrommeetinghiseye。Henoticedthemovement，placinghisowninterpretationonit。Advancingcloser，heaskedanxiouslyifhehadoffendedher。
\"Youdon\'tknowhowyourconfidencetouchesme，\"shesaid，withoutlookingup。\"YoulittlethinkhowkeenlyIfeelyourkindness。\"
Shecheckedherselfabruptly。Herfinetactwarnedherthatshewasspeakingtoowarmly——thattheexpressionofhergratitudemightstrikehimasbeingstrangelyexaggerated。Shehandedhimherwork-basketbeforehecouldspeakagain。
\"Willyouputitawayforme？\"sheasked，inherquietertones。\"Idon\'tfeelabletoworkjustnow。\"
Hisbackwasturnedonherforamoment，whileheplacedthebasketonaside-table。Inthatmomenthermindadvancedataboundfrompresenttofuture。AccidentmightonedayputthetrueGraceinpossessionoftheproofsthatsheneeded，andmightrevealthefalseGracetohimintheidentitythatwasherown。Whatwouldhethinkofherthen？Couldshemakehimtellherwithoutbetrayingherself？Shedeterminedtotry。
\"Childrenarenotoriouslyinsatiableifyouonceanswertheirquestions，andwomenarenearlyasbad，\"shesaid，whenJulianreturnedtoher。\"WillyourpatienceholdoutifIgobackforthethirdtimetothepersonwhomwehavebeenspeakingof？\"
\"Tryme，\"heanswered，withasmile。
\"Supposeyouhadnottakenyourmercifulviewofher？\"
\"Yes？\"
\"Supposeyoubelievedthatshewaswickedlybentondeceivingothersforapurposeofherown——wouldyounotshrinkfromsuchawomaninhorroranddisgust？\"
\"GodforbidthatIshouldshrinkfromanyhumancreature！\"heanswered，earnestly。\"Whoamongushasarighttodothat？\"
Shehardlydaredtrustherselftobelievehim。\"Youwouldstillpityher？\"shepersisted，\"andstillfeelforher？\"
\"Withallmyheart。\"
\"Oh，howgoodyouare！\"
Hehelduphishandinwarning。Thetonesofhisvoicedeepened，thelusterofhiseyesbrightened。Shehadstirredinthedepthsofthatgreatheartthefaithinwhichthemanlived——thesteadyprinciplewhichguidedhismodestandnoblelife。
\"No！\"hecried。\"Don\'tsaythat！SaythatItrytolovemyneighborasmyself。WhobutaPhariseecanbelievethatheisbetterthananother？Thebestamongusto-daymay，butforthemercyofGod，betheworstamongustomorrow。ThetrueChristianvirtueisthevirtuewhichneverdespairsofafellow-creature。ThetrueChristianfaithbelievesinManaswellasinGod。Frailandfallenasweare，wecanriseonthewingsofrepentancefromearthtoheaven。Humanityissacred。Humanityhasitsimmortaldestiny。Whoshalldaresaytomanorwoman，\'Thereisnohopeinyou？\'Whoshalldaresaytheworkisallvile，whenthatworkbearsonitthestampoftheCreator\'shand？\"
Heturnedawayforamoment，strugglingwiththeemotionwhichshehadrousedinhim。
Hereyes，astheyfollowedhim，lightedwithamomentaryenthusiasm——thensankwearilyinthevainregretwhichcomestoolate。Ah！ifhecouldhavebeenherfriendandheradviseronthefataldaywhenshefirstturnedherstepstowardMablethorpeHouse！Shesighedbitterlyasthehopelessaspirationwrungherheart。Heheardthesigh；and，turningagain，lookedatherwithanewinterestinhisface。
\"MissRoseberry，\"hesaid。
Shewasstillabsorbedinthebittermemoriesofthepast：shefailedtohearhim。
\"MissRoseberry，\"herepeated，approachingher。
Shelookedupathimwithastart。
\"MayIventuretoaskyousomething？\"hesaid，gently。
Sheshrankatthequestion。
\"Don\'tsupposeIamspeakingoutofmerecuriosity，\"hewenton。\"Andpraydon\'tanswermeunlessyoucananswerwithoutbetrayinganyconfidencewhichmayhavebeenplacedinyou。\"
\"Confidence！\"sherepeated。\"Whatconfidencedoyoumean？\"
\"Ithasjuststruckmethatyoumighthavefeltmorethanacommoninterestinthequestionswhichyouputtomeamomentsince，\"heanswered。\"Wereyoubyanychancespeakingofsomeunhappywoman——notthepersonwhofrightenedyou，ofcourse——butofsomeotherwomanwhomyouknow？\"
Herheadsankslowlyonherbosom。Hehadplainlynosuspicionthatshehadbeenspeakingofherself：histoneandmannerbothansweredforitthathisbeliefinherwasasstrongasever。Stillthoselastwordsmadehertremble；shecouldnottrustherselftoreplytothem。
Heacceptedthebendingofherheadasareply。
\"Areyouinterestedinher？\"heaskednext。
Shefaintlyansweredthistime。\"Yes。\"
\"Haveyouencouragedher？\"
\"Ihavenotdaredtoencourageher。\"
Hisfacelightedupsuddenlywithenthusiasm。\"Gotoher，\"hesaid，\"andletmegowithyouandhelpyou！\"
Theanswercamefaintlyandmournfully。\"Shehassunktoolowforthat！\"
Heinterruptedherwithagestureofimpatience。
\"Whathasshedone？\"heasked。
\"Shehasdeceived——baselydeceived——innocentpeoplewhotrustedher。Shehaswronged——cruellywronged——anotherwoman。\"
ForthefirsttimeJulianseatedhimselfatherside。Theinterestthatwasnowrousedinhimwasaninterestabovereproach。HecouldspeaktoMercywithoutrestraint；hecouldlookatMercywithapureheart。
\"Youjudgeherveryharshly，\"hesaid。\"Doyouknowhowshemayhavebeentriedandtempted？\"
Therewasnoanswer。
\"Tellme，\"hewenton，\"isthepersonwhomshehasinjuredstillliving？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Ifthepersonisstillliving，shemayatoneforthewrong。Thetimemaycomewhenthissinner，too，maywinourpardonanddeserveourrespect。\"
\"Couldyourespecther？\"Mercyasked，sadly。\"Cansuchamindasyoursunderstandwhatshehasgonethrough？\"
Asmile，kindandmomentary，brightenedhisattentiveface。
\"Youforgetmymelancholyexperience，\"heanswered。\"YoungasIam，Ihaveseenmorethanmostmenofwomenwhohavesinnedandsuffered。Evenafterthelittlethatyouhavetoldme，IthinkIcanputmyselfinherplace。Icanwellunderstand，forinstance，thatshemayhavebeentemptedbeyondhumanresistance。AmIright？\"
\"Youareright。\"
\"Shemayhavehadnobodynearatthetimetoadviseher，towarnher，tosaveher。Isthattrue？\"
\"Itistrue。\"
\"Temptedandfriendless，self-abandonedtotheevilimpulseofthemoment，thiswomanmayhavecommittedherselfheadlongtotheactwhichshenowvainlyrepents。Shemaylongtomakeatonement，andmaynotknowhowtobegin。Allherenergiesmaybecrushedunderthedespairandhorrorofherself，outofwhichthetruestrepentancegrows。Issuchawomanasthisallwicked，allvile？Idenyit！Shemayhaveanoblenature；andshemayshowitnoblyyet。Givehertheopportunitysheneeds，andourpoorfallenfellow-creaturemaytakeherplaceagainamongthebestofus——honored，blameless，happy，oncemore！\"
Mercy\'seyes，restingeagerlyonhimwhilehewasspeaking，droppedagaindespondinglywhenhehaddone。
\"Thereisnosuchfutureasthat，\"sheanswered，\"forthewomanwhomIamthinkingof。Shehaslostheropportunity。Shehasdonewithhope。\"
Juliangravelyconsideredwithhimselfforamoment。
\"Letusunderstandeachother，\"hesaid。\"Shehascommittedanactofdeceptiontotheinjuryofanotherwoman。Wasthatwhatyoutoldme？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Andshehasgainedsomethingtoherownadvantagebytheact。\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Isshethreatenedwithdiscovery？\"
\"Sheissafefromdiscovery——forthepresent，atleast。\"
\"Safeaslongassheclosesherlips？\"
\"Aslongassheclosesherlips。\"
\"Thereisheropportunity！\"criedJulian。\"Herfutureisbeforeher。Shehasnotdonewithhope！\"
Withclaspedhands，inbreathlesssuspense，Mercylookedatthatinspiritingface，andlistenedtothosegoldenwords。
\"Explainyourself，\"shesaid。\"Tellher，throughme，whatshemustdo。\"
\"Letherownthetruth，\"answeredJulian，\"withoutthebasefearofdiscoverytodrivehertoit。Letherdojusticetothewomanwhomshehaswronged，whilethatwomanisstillpowerlesstoexposeher。Lethersacrificeeverythingthatshehasgainedbythefraudtothesacreddutyofatonement。Ifshecandothat——forconscience\'sake，andforpity\'ssake——toherownprejudice，toherownshame，toherownloss——thenherrepentancehasnoblyrevealedthenoblenaturethatisinher；thensheisawomantobetrusted，respected，beloved！IfIsawthePhariseesandfanaticsofthislowerearthpassingherbyincontempt，Iwouldholdoutmyhandtoherbeforethemall。Iwouldsaytoherinhersolitudeandheraffliction，\'Rise，poorwoundedheart！Beautiful，purifiedsoul，God\'sangelsrejoiceoveryou！TakeyourplaceamongthenoblestofGod\'screatures！\'\"
Inthoselastsentencesheunconsciouslyrepeatedthelanguageinwhichhehadspoken，yearssince，tohiscongregationinthechapeloftheRefuge。WithtenfoldpowerandtenfoldpersuasiontheynowfoundtheirwayagaintoMercy\'sheart。Softly，suddenly，mysteriously，achangepassedoverher。Hertroubledfacegrewbeautifullystill。Theshiftinglightofterrorandsuspensevanishedfromhergrandgrayeyes，andleftinthemthesteadyinnerglowofahighandpureresolve。
Therewasamomentofsilencebetweenthem。Theybothhadneedofsilence。Julianwasthefirsttospeakagain。
\"HaveIsatisfiedyouthatheropportunityisstillbeforeher？\"heasked。\"Doyoufeel，asIfeel，thatshehasnotdonewithhope？\"
\"Youhavesatisfiedmethattheworldholdsnotruerfriendtoherthanyou，\"Mercyanswered，gentlyandgratefully。\"Sheshallproveherselfworthyofyourgenerousconfidenceinher。Sheshallshowyouyetthatyouhavenotspokeninvain。\"
Stillinevitablyfailingtounderstandher，heledthewaytothedoor。
\"Don\'twastetheprecioustime，\"hesaid。\"Don\'tleavehercruellytoherself。Ifyoucan\'tgotoher，letmegoasyourmessenger，inyourplace。\"
Shestoppedhimbyagesture。Hetookastepbackintotheroom，andpaused，observingwithsurprisethatshemadenoattempttomovefromthechairthatsheoccupied。
\"Stayhere，\"shesaidtohim，insuddenlyalteredtones。
\"Pardonme，\"herejoined，\"Idon\'tunderstandyou。\"
\"Youwillunderstandmedirectly。Givemealittletime。\"Hestilllingerednearthedoor，withhiseyesfixedinquiringlyonher。Amanofalowernaturethanhis，oramanbelievinginMercylessdevotedlythanhebelieved，wouldnowhavefelthisfirstsuspicionofher。Julianwasasfaraseverfromsuspectingher，evenyet。
\"Doyouwishtobealone？\"heasked，considerately。\"ShallIleaveyouforawhileandreturnagain？\"
Shelookedupwithastartofterror。\"Leaveme？\"sherepeated，andsuddenlycheckedherselfonthepointofsayingmore。Nearlyhalfthelengthoftheroomdividedthemfromeachother。Thewordswhichshewaslongingtosaywerewordsthatwouldneverpassherlipsunlessshecouldseesomeencouragementinhisface。\"No！\"shecriedouttohim，onasudden，inhersoreneed，\"don\'tleaveme！Comebacktome！\"
Heobeyedherinsilence。Insilence，onherside，shepointedtothechairnearher。Hetookit。Shelookedathim，andcheckedherselfagain；resolutetomakeherterribleconfession，yetstillhesitatinghowtobegin。Herwoman\'sinstinctwhisperedtoher，\"Findcourageinhistouch！\"Shesaidtohim，simplyandartlesslysaidtohim，\"Givemeencouragement。Givemestrength。Letmetakeyourhand。\"Heneitheranswerednormoved。Hismindseemedtohavebecomesuddenlypreoccupied；hiseyesrestedonhervacantly。Hewasonthebrinkofdiscoveringhersecret；inanotherinstanthewouldhavefoundhiswaytothetruth。Inthatinstant，innocentlyashissistermighthavetakenit，shetookhishand。Thesoftclaspofherfingers，clingingroundhis，rousedhissenses，firedhispassionforher，sweptoutofhismindthepureaspirationswhichhadfilleditbutthemomentbefore，paralyzedhisperceptionwhenitwasjustpenetratingthemysteryofherdisturbedmannerandherstrangewords。Allthemaninhimtrembledundertheraptureofhertouch。ButthethoughtofHoracewasstillpresenttohim：hishandlaypassiveinhers；hiseyeslookeduneasilyawayfromher。
Sheinnocentlystrengthenedherclaspofhishand。Sheinnocentlysaidtohim，\"Don\'tlookawayfromme。Youreyesgivemecourage。\"
Hishandreturnedthepressureofhers。Hetastedtothefullthedeliciousjoyoflookingather。Shehadbrokendownhislastreservesofself-control。ThethoughtofHorace，thesenseofhonor，becameobscuredinhim。Inamomentmorehemighthavesaidthewordswhichhewouldhavedeploredfortherestofhislife，ifshehadnotstoppedhimbyspeakingfirst。\"Ihavemoretosaytoyou，\"sheresumedabruptly，feelingtheanimatingresolutiontolayherheartbarebeforehimatlast；\"more，farmore，thanIhavesaidyet。Generous，mercifulfriend，letmesayithere！\"
Sheattemptedtothrowherselfonherkneesathisfeet。Hesprungfromhisseatandcheckedher，holdingherwithbothhishands，raisingherasherosehimself。Inthewordswhichhadjustescapedher，inthestartlingactionwhichhadaccompaniedthem，thetruthburstonhim。Theguiltywomanshehadspokenofwasherself！
Whileshewasalmostinhisarms，whileherbosomwasjusttouchinghis，beforeawordmorehadpassedhislipsorhers，thelibrarydooropened。
LadyJanetRoyenteredtheroom。
[NextChapter]
[TableofContents]TheNewMagdalen，Chapter18CHAPTERXVIII。
THESEARCHINTHEGROUNDS。
GRACEROSEBERRY，stilllisteningintheconservatory，sawthedooropen，andrecognizedthemistressofthehouse。Shesoftlydrewback，andplacedherselfinsaferhiding，beyondtherangeofviewfromthedining-room。
LadyJanetadvancednofurtherthanthethreshold。Shestoodthereandlookedathernephewandheradopteddaughterinsternsilence。
Mercydroppedintothechairatherside。Juliankepthisplacebyher。Hismindwasstillstunnedbythediscoverythathadburstonit；hiseyesstillrestedonherinmuteterrorofinquiry。Hewasascompletelyabsorbedintheoneactoflookingatherasiftheyhadbeenstillalonetogetherintheroom。
LadyJanetwasthefirstofthethreewhospoke。Sheaddressedherselftohernephew。
\"Youwereright，Mr。JulianGray，\"shesaid，withherbitterestemphasisoftoneandmanner。\"Yououghttohavefoundnobodyinthisroomonyourreturnbutme。Idetainyounolonger。Youarefreetoleavemyhouse。\"
Julianlookedroundathisaunt。Shewaspointingtothedoor。Intheexcitedstateofhissensibilitiesatthatmomenttheactionstunghimtothequick。Heansweredwithouthiscustomaryconsiderationforhisaunt\'sageandhisaunt\'spositiontowardhim。
\"Youapparentlyforget，LadyJanet，thatyouarenotspeakingtooneofyourfootmen，\"hesaid。\"Thereareseriousreasonsofwhichyouknownothingformyremaininginyourhousealittlelonger。Youmayrelyuponmytrespassingonyourhospitalityasshortatimeaspossible。\"
HeturnedagaintoMercyashesaidthosewords，andsurprisedhertimidlylookingupathim。Intheinstantwhentheireyesmet，thetumultofemotionsstrugglinginhimbecamesuddenlystilled。Sorrowforher——compassionatingsorrow——roseinthenewcalmandfilledhisheart。Now，andnowonly，hecouldreadinthewastedandnoblefacehowshehadsuffered。Thepitywhichhehadfeltfortheunnamedwomangrewtoatenfoldpityforher。Thefaithwhichheprofessed——honestlyprofessed——inthebetternatureoftheunnamedwomanstrengthenedintoatenfoldfaithinher。Headdressedhimselfagaintohisaunt，inagentlertone。\"Thislady，\"heresumed，\"hassomethingtosaytomeinprivatewhichshehasnotsaidyet。Thatismyreasonandmyapologyfornotimmediatelyleavingthehouse。\"
Stillundertheimpressionofwhatshehadseenonenteringtheroom，LadyJanetlookedathiminangryamazement。WasJulianactuallyignoringHoraceHolmcroft箂claims，inthepresenceofHoraceHolmcroft箂betrothedwife？Sheappealedtoheradopteddaughter。\"Grace！\"sheexclaimed，\"haveyouheardhim？Haveyounothingtosay？MustIremindyou——\"
Shestopped。ForthefirsttimeinLadyJanet\'sexperienceofheryoungcompanion，shefoundherselfspeakingtoearsthatweredeaftoher。Mercywasincapableoflistening。Julian\'seyeshadtoldherthatJulianunderstoodheratlast！
LadyJanetturnedtohernephewoncemore，andaddressedhiminthehardestwordsthatshehadeverspokentohersister\'sson。
\"Ifyouhaveanysenseofdecency，\"shesaid——\"Isaynothingofasenseofhonor——youwillleavethishouse，andyouracquaintancewiththatladywillendhere。Sparemeyourprotestsandexcuses；IcanplacebutoneinterpretationonwhatIsawwhenIopenedthatdoor。\"
\"Youentirelymisunderstandwhatyousawwhenyouopenedthatdoor，\"Juliananswered，quietly。
\"PerhapsImisunderstandtheconfessionwhichyoumadetomenotanhourago？\"retortedLadyJanet。
JuliancastalookofalarmatMercy。\"Don\'tspeakofit！\"hesaid，inawhisper。\"Shemighthearyou。\"
\"Doyoumeantosayshedoesn\'tknowyouareinlovewithher？\"
\"ThankGod，shehasnotthefaintestsuspicionofit！\"
Therewasnomistakingtheearnestnesswithwhichhemadethatreply。Itprovedhisinnocenceasnothingelsecouldhaveprovedit。LadyJanetdrewbackastep——utterlybewildered；completelyatalosswhattosayorwhattodonext。
Thesilencethatfollowedwasbrokenbyaknockatthelibrarydoor。Theman-servant——withnews，andbadnews，legiblywritteninhisdisturbedfaceandmanner——enteredtheroom。Inthenervousirritabilityofthemoment，LadyJanetresentedtheservant\'sappearanceasapositiveoffenseonthepartoftheharmlessman。\"Whosentforyou？\"sheasked，sharply。\"Whatdoyoumeanbyinterruptingus？\"
Theservantmadehisexcusesinanoddlybewilderedmanner。
\"Ibegyourladyship\'spardon。Iwishedtotaketheliberty——IwantedtospeaktoMr。JulianGray。\"
\"Whatisit？\"askedJulian。
ThemanlookeduneasilyatLadyJanet，hesitated，andglancedatthedoor，asifhewishedhimselfwelloutoftheroomagain。
\"IhardlyknowifIcantellyou，sir，beforeherladyship，\"heanswered。
LadyJanetinstantlypenetratedthesecretofherservant\'shesitation。
\"Iknowwhathashappened，\"shesaid；\"thatabominablewomanhasfoundherwayhereagain。AmIright？\"
Theman\'seyeshelplesslyconsultedJulian。
\"Yes，orno？\"criedLadyJanet，imperatively。
\"Yes，mylady。\"
Julianatonceassumedthedutyofaskingthenecessaryquestions。
\"Whereisshe？\"hebegan。
\"Somewhereinthegrounds，aswesuppose，sir。\"
\"Didyouseeher？\"
\"No，sir。\"
\"Whosawher？\"
\"Thelodge-keeper\'swife。\"
Thislookedserious。Thelodge-keeper\'swifehadbeenpresentwhileJulianhadgivenhisinstructionstoherhusband。Shewasnotlikelytohavemistakentheidentityofthepersonwhomshehaddiscovered。
\"Howlongsince？\"Julianaskednext。
\"Notverylong，sir。\"
\"Bemoreparticular。Howlong？\"
\"Ididn\'thear，sir。\"
\"Didthelodge-keeper\'swifespeaktothepersonwhenshesawher？\"
\"No，sir：shedidn\'tgetthechance，asIunderstandit。Sheisastoutwoman，ifyouremember。Theotherwastooquickforher——discoveredher，sir，andasthesayingisgavehertheslip。\"
\"Inwhatpartofthegroundsdidthishappen？\"
Theservantpointedinthedirectionofthesidehall。\"Inthatpart，sir。EitherintheDutchgardenortheshrubbery。Iamnotsurewhich。\"
Itwasplain，bythistime，thattheman\'sinformationwastooimperfecttobepracticallyofanyuse。Julianaskedifthelodge-keeper\'swifewasinthehouse。
\"No，sir。Herhusbandhasgoneouttosearchthegroundsinherplace，andsheismindingthegate。Theysenttheirboywiththemessage。FromwhatIcanmakeoutfromthelad，theywouldbethankfuliftheycouldgetawordmoreofadvicefromyou，sir。\"
Julianreflectedforamoment。
Sofarashecouldestimatethem，theprobabilitieswerethatthestrangerfromMannheimhadalreadymadeherwayintothehouse；thatshehadbeenlisteninginthebilliard-room；thatshehadfoundtimeenoughtoescapehimonhisapproachingtoopenthedoor；andthatshewasnowintheservant\'sphrase\"somewhereinthegrounds，\"aftereludingthepursuitofthelodgekeeper\'swife。
Thematterwasserious。Anymistakeindealingwithitmightleadtoverypainfulresults。
IfJulianhadcorrectlyanticipatedthenatureoftheconfessionwhichMercyhadbeenonthepointofaddressingtohim，thepersonwhomhehadbeenthemeansofintroducingintothehousewas——whatshehadvainlyassertedherselftobe——nootherthanthetrueGraceRoseberry。
Takingthisforgranted，itwasoftheutmostimportancethatheshouldspeaktoGraceprivately，beforeshecommittedherselftoanyrashlyrenewedassertionofherclaims，andbeforeshecouldgainaccesstoLadyJanet\'sadopteddaughter。Thelandladyatherlodgingshadalreadywarnedhimthattheobjectwhichsheheldsteadilyinviewwastofindherwayto\"MissRoseberry\"whenLadyJanetwasnotpresenttotakeherpart，andwhennogentlemanwereathandtoprotecther。\"Onlyletmemeetherfacetoface\"shehadsaid，\"andIwillmakeherconfessherselftheimpostorthatsheis！\"Asmattersnowstood，itwasimpossibletoestimatetooseriouslythemischiefwhichmightensuefromsuchameetingasthis。EverythingnowdependedonJulian\'sskillfulmanagementofanexasperatedwoman；andnobody，atthatmoment，knewwherethewomanwas。
Inthispositionofaffairs，asJulianunderstoodit，thereseemedtobenootheralternativethantomakehisinquiriesinstantlyatthelodgeandthentodirectthesearchinperson。
HelookedtowardMercy\'schairashearrivedatthisresolution。ItwasatacruelsacrificeofhisownanxietiesandhisownwishesthathedeferredcontinuingtheconversationwithherfromthecriticalpointatwhichLadyJanet\'sappearancehadinterruptedit。
Mercyhadrisenwhilehehadbeenquestioningtheservant。Theattentionwhichshehadfailedtoaccordtowhathadpassedbetweenhisauntandhimselfshehadgiventotheimperfectstatementwhichhehadextractedfromtheman。HerfaceplainlyshowedthatshehadlistenedaseagerlyasLadyJanethadlistened；withthisremarkabledifferencebetweenthere，thatLadyJanetlookedfrightened，andthatLadyJanet\'scompanionshowednosignsofalarm。Sheappearedtobeinterested；perhapsanxious——nothingmore。
Julianspokeapartingwordtohisaunt。
\"Praycomposeyourself，\"hesaid\"Ihavelittledoubt，whenIcanlearntheparticulars，thatweshalleasilyfindthispersoninthegrounds。Thereisnoreasontobeuneasy。Iamgoingtosuperintendthesearchmyself。Iwillreturntoyouassoonaspossible。\"
LadyJanetlistenedabsently。TherewasacertainexpressioninhereyeswhichsuggestedtoJulianthathermindwasbusywithsomeprojectofitsown。HestoppedashepassedMercy，onhiswayoutbythebilliard-roomdoor。Itcosthimahardefforttocontrolthecontendingemotionswhichthemereactoflookingathernowawakenedinhim。Hisheartbeatfast，hisvoicesanklow，ashespoketoher。
\"Youshallseemeagain，\"hesaid。\"IneverwasmoreinearnestinpromisingyoumytruesthelpandsympathythanIamnow。\"
Sheunderstoodhim。Herbosomheavedpainfully；hereyesfelltotheground——shemadenoreply。ThetearsroseinJulian\'seyesashelookedather。Hehurriedlylefttheroom。
Whenheturnedtoclosethebilliard-roomdoor，heheardLadyJanetsay，\"Iwillbewithyouagaininamoment，Grace；don\'tgoaway。\"
Interpretingthesewordsasmeaningthathisaunthadsomebusinessofherowntoattendtointhelibrary，heshutthedoor。Hehadjustadvancedintothesmoking-roombeyond，whenhethoughtheheardthedooropenagain。Heturnedround。LadyJanethadfollowedhim。
\"Doyouwishtospeaktome？\"heasked。
\"Iwantsomethingofyou，\"LadyJanetanswered，\"beforeyougo。\"
\"Whatisit？\"
\"Yourcard。\"
\"Mycard？\"
\"Youhavejusttoldmenottobeuneasy，\"saidtheoldlady。\"Iamuneasy，forallthat。Idon\'tfeelassureasyoudothatthiswomanreallyisinthegrounds。Shemaybelurkingsomewhereinthehouse，andshemayappearwhenyourbackinturned。Rememberwhatyoutoldme。\"
Julianunderstoodtheallusion。Hemadenoreply。
\"Thepeopleatthepolicestationcloseby，\"pursuedLadyJanet，\"haveinstructionstosendanexperiencedman，inplainclothes，toanyaddressindicatedonyourcardthemomenttheyreceiveit。Thatiswhatyoutoldme。ForGrace\'sprotection，Iwantyourcardbeforeyouleaveus。\"
ItwasimpossibleforJuliantomentionthereasonswhichnowforbadehimtomakeuseofhisownprecautions——intheveryfaceoftheemergencywhichtheyhadbeenespeciallyintendedtomeet。HowcouldhedeclarethetrueGraceRoseberrytobemad？HowcouldhegivethetrueGraceRoseberryintocustody？Ontheotherhand，hehadpersonallypledgedhimselfwhenthecircumstancesappearedtorequireittoplacethemeansoflegalprotectionfrominsultandannoyanceathisaunt\'sdisposal。Andnow，therestoodLadyJanet，unaccustomedtohaveherwishesdisregardedbyanybody，withherbandextended，waitingforthecard！
Whatwastobedone？Theonewayoutofthedifficultyappearedtobetosubmitforthemoment。Ifhesucceededindiscoveringthemissingwoman，hecouldeasilytakecarethatsheshouldbesubjectedtononeedlessindignity。Ifshecontrivedtoslipintothehouseinhisabsence，hecouldprovideagainstthatcontingencybysendingasecondcardprivatelytothepolicestation，forbiddingtheofficertostirintheaffairuntilhehadreceivedfurtherorders。Julianmadeonestipulationonlybeforehehandedhiscardtohisaunt。
\"Youwillnotusethis，Iamsure，withoutpositiveandpressingnecessity，\"hesaid。\"ButImustmakeonecondition。Promisemetokeepmyplanforcommunicatingwiththepoliceastrictsecret——\"
\"AstrictsecretfromGrace？\"interposedLadyJanet。Julianbowed。\"DoyousupposeIwanttofrightenher？DoyouthinkIhavenothadanxietyenoughaboutheralready？OfcourseIshallkeepitasecretfromGrace！\"
Re-assuredonthispoint，Julianhastenedoutintothegrounds。AssoonashisbackwasturnedLadyJanetliftedthegoldpencil-casewhichhungatherwatch-chain，andwroteonhernephew\'scardfortheinformationoftheofficerinplainclothes，\"YouarewantedatMablethorpeHouse。\"Thisdone，sheputthecardintotheold-fashionedpocketofherdress，andreturnedtothedining-room。
Gracewaswaiting，inobediencetotheinstructionswhichshehadreceived。
Forthefirstmomentortwonotawordwasspokenoneitherside。Nowthatshewasalonewithheradopteddaughter，acertaincoldnessandhardnessbegantoshowitselfinLadyJanet\'smanner。Thediscoverythatshehadmadeonopeningthedrawing-roomdoorstillhungonhermind。Julianhadcertainlyconvincedherthatshehadmisinterpretedwhatshehadseen；buthehadconvincedheragainstherwill。ShehadfoundMercydeeplyagitated；suspiciouslysilent。Julianmightbeinnocent，sheadmitted——therewasnoaccountingforthevagariesofmen。ButthecaseofMercywasaltogetherdifferent。Womendidnotfindthemselvesinthearmsofmenwithoutknowingwhattheywereabout。AcquittingJulian，LadyJanetdeclinedtoacquitMercy。\"Thereissomesecretunderstandingbetweenthem，\"thoughttheoldlady，\"andshe\'stoblame；thewomenalwaysare！\"
Mercystillwaitedtobespokento；paleandquiet，silentandsubmissive。LadyJanet——inahighlyuncertainstateoftemper——wasobligedtobegin。
\"Mydear！\"shecalledout，sharply。
\"Yes，LadyJanet。\"
\"Howmuchlongerareyougoingtosittherewithyourmouthshutupandyoureyesonthecarpet？Haveyounoopiniontoofferonthisalarmingstateofthings？YouheardwhatthemansaidtoJulian——Isawyoulistening。Areyouhorriblyfrightened？\"
\"No，LadyJanet。\"
\"Notevennervous？\"
\"No，LadyJanet。\"
\"Ha！Ishouldhardlyhavegivenyoucreditforsomuchcourageaftermyexperienceofyouaweekago。Icongratulateyouonyourrecovery。\"
\"Thankyou，LadyJanet。\"
\"Iamnotsocomposedasyouare。Wewereanexcitablesetinmyyouth——andIhaven\'tgotthebetterofityet。Ifeelnervous。Doyouhear？Ifeelnervous。\"
\"Iamsorry，LadyJanet。\"
\"Youareverygood。DoyouknowwhatIamgoingtodo？\"
\"No，LadyJanet。\"
\"Iamgoingtosummonthehousehold。WhenIsaythehousehold，Imeanthemen；thewomenarenouse。IamafraidIfailtoattractyourattention？\"
\"Youhavemybestattention，LadyJanet。\"
\"Youareverygoodagain。Isaidthewomenwereofnouse。\"
\"Yes，LadyJanet。\"
\"Imeantoplaceaman-servantonguardateveryentrancetothehouse。Iamgoingtodoitatonce。Willyoucomewithme？\"
\"CanIbeofanyuseifIgowithyourladyship？\"
\"Youcan\'tbeoftheslightestuse。Igivetheordersinthishouse——notyou。Ihadquiteanothermotiveinaskingyoutocomewithme。Iammoreconsiderateofyouthanyouseemtothink——Idon\'tlikeleavingyouherebyyourself。Doyouunderstand？
\"Iammuchobligedtoyourladyship。Idon\'tmindbeingleftherebymyself。\"
\"Youdon\'tmind？Ineverheardofsuchheroisminmylife——outofanovel！Supposethatcrazywretchshouldfindherwayinhere？\"
\"Shewouldnotfrightenmethistimeasshefrightenedmebefore。\"
\"Nottoofast，myyounglady！Suppose——Goodheavens！nowIthinkofit，thereistheconservatory。Supposesheshouldbehiddeninthere？Julianissearchingthegrounds。Whoistosearchtheconservatory？\"
\"Withyourladyship\'spermission，Iwillsearchtheconservatory。\"
\"You！！！\"
\"Withyourladyship\'spermission。\"
\"Icanhardlybelievemyownears！Well，\'Liveandlearn\'isanoldproverb。IthoughtIknewyourcharacter。Thisisachange！\"
\"Youforget，LadyJanetifImayventuretosayso，thatthecircumstancesarechanged。Shetookmebysurpriseonthelastoccasion；Iampreparedforhernow。\"
\"Doyoureallyfeelascoollyasyouspeak？\"
\"Yes，LadyJanet。\"
\"Haveyourownway，then。Ishalldoonething，however，incaseofyourhavingoverestimatedyourowncourage。Ishallplaceoneofthemeninthelibrary。Youwillonlyhavetoringforhimifanythinghappens。Hewillgivethealarm——andIshallactaccordingly。Ihavemyplan，\"saidherLadyship，comfortablyconsciousofthecardinherpocket。\"Don\'tlooktheordealoftheconfession。Shewasnotonlyanxious——shewasimpatientforJulian\'sreturn。BeforeshesleptthatnightJulian\'sconfidenceinhershouldbeaconfidencethatshehaddeserved。
\"Letherownthetruth，withoutthebasefearofdiscoverytodrivehertoit。Letherdojusticetothewomanwhomshehaswronged，whilethatwomanisstillpowerlesstoexposeher。Lethersacrificeeverythingthatshehasgainedbythefraudtothesacreddutyofatonement。Ifshecandothat，thenherrepentancehasnoblyrevealedthenoblenaturethatisinher；thensheisawomantobetrusted，respected，beloved。\"Thosewordswereasvividlypresenttoherasifshestillheardthemfallingfromhislips。Thoseotherwordswhichhadfollowedthemrangasgrandlyaseverinherears：\"Rise，poorwoundedheart！Beautiful，purifiedsoul，God\'sangelsrejoiceoveryou！TakeyourplaceamongthenoblestofGod\'screatures！\"DidthewomanlivewhocouldhearJulianGraysaythat，andwhocouldhesitate，atanysacrifice，atanyloss，tojustifyhisbeliefinher？\"Oh！\"shethought，longinglywhilehereyesfollowedLadyJanettotheendofthelibrary，\"ifyourworstfearscouldonlyberealized！IfIcouldonlyseeGraceRoseberryinthisroom，howfearlesslyIcouldmeethernow！\"
Sheclosedthelibrarydoor，whileLadyJanetopenedtheotherdoorwhichledintothehall。
Assheturnedandlookedbackintothedining-roomacryofastonishmentescapedher。
There——asifinanswertotheaspirationwhichwasstillinhermind；there，establishedintriumphonthechairthatshehadjustleft——satGraceRoseberry，insinistersilence，waitingforher。
[NextChapter]
[TableofContents]TheNewMagdalen，Chapter19CHAPTERXIX。
THEEVILGENIUS。
RECOVERINGfromthefirstoverpoweringsensationofsurprise，Mercyrapidlyadvanced，eagertosayherfirstpenitentwords。Gracestoppedherbyawarninggestureofthehand。\"Nonearertome，\"shesaid，withalookofcontemptuouscommand。\"Staywhereyouare。\"
Mercypaused。Grace\'sreceptionhadstartledher。Sheinstinctivelytookthechairnearesttohertosupportherself。Graceraisedawarninghandforthesecondtime，andissuedanothercommand：\"Iforbidyoutobeseatedinmypresence。Youhavenorighttobeinthishouseatall。Remember，ifyouplease，whoyouare，andwhoIam。\"
Thetoneinwhichthosewordswerespokenwasaninsultinitself。Mercysuddenlyliftedherhead；theangryanswerwasonherlips。Shecheckedit，andsubmittedinsilence。\"IwillbeworthyofJulianGray\'sconfidenceinme，\"shethought，asshestoodpatientlybythechair。\"IwillbearanythingfromthewomanwhomIhavewronged。\"
Insilencethetwofacedeachother；alonetogether，forthefirsttimesincetheyhadmetintheFrenchcottage。Thecontrastbetweenthemwasstrangetosee。GraceRoseberry，seatedinherchair，littleandlean，withherdullwhitecomplexion，withherhard，threateningface，withhershrunkenfigurecladinitsplainandpoorblackgarments，lookedlikeabeingofalowersphere，comparedwithMercyMerrick，standingerectinherrichsilkendress；hertall，shapelyfiguretoweringoverthelittlecreaturebeforeher；hergrandheadbentingracefulsubmission；gentle，patient，beautiful；awomanwhomitwasaprivilegetolookatandadistinctiontoadmire。Ifastrangerhadbeentoldthatthosetwohadplayedtheirpartsinaromanceofreallife——thatoneofthemwasreallyconnectedbythetiesofrelationshipwithLadyJanetRoy，andthattheotherhadsuccessfullyattemptedtopersonateher——hewouldinevitably，ifithadbeenlefttohimtoguesswhichwaswhich，havepickedoutGraceasthecounterfeitandMercyasthetruewoman。
Gracebrokethesilence。Shehadwaitedtoopenherlipsuntilshehadeyedherconqueredvictimallover，withdisdainfullyminuteattention，fromheadtofoot\"Standthere。Iliketolookatyou，\"shesaid，speakingwithaspitefulrelishofherowncruelwords。\"It\'snousefaintingthistime。YouhavenotgotLadyJanetRoytobringyouto。Therearenogentlemenhereto-daytopityyouandpickyouup。MercyMerrick，Ihavegotyouatlast。ThankGod，myturnhascome！Youcan\'tescapemenow！\"
AllthelittlenessofheartandmindwhichhadfirstshownitselfinGraceatthemeetinginthecottage，whenMercytoldthesadstoryofherlife，nowrevealeditselfoncemore。Thewomanwhointhosepasttimeshadfeltnoimpulsetotakeasufferingandapenitentfellow-creaturebythehandwasthesamewomanwhocouldfeelnopity，whocouldsparenoinsolenceoftriumph，now。Mercy\'ssweetvoiceansweredherpatiently，inlow，pleadingtones。
\"Ihavenotavoidedyou，\"shesaid。\"IwouldhavegonetoyouofmyownaccordifIhadknownthatyouwerehere。ItismyheartfeltwishtoownthatIhavesinnedagainstyou，andtomakealltheatonementthatIcan。Iamtooanxioustodeserveyourforgivenesstohaveanyfearofseeingyou。\"
Conciliatoryasthereplywas，itwasspokenwithasimpleandmodestdignityofmannerwhichrousedGraceRoseberrytofury。
\"Howdareyouspeaktomeasifyouwereanyequal？\"sheburstout。\"Youstandthereandanswermeasifyouhadyourrightandyourplaceinthishouse。Youaudaciouswoman！Ihavemyrightandmyplacehere——andwhatamIobligedtodo？Iamobligedtohangaboutinthegrounds，andflyfromthesightoftheservants，andhidelikeathief，andwaitlikeabeggar，andallforwhat？Forthechanceofhavingawordwithyou。Yes！you，madam！withtheairoftheRefugeandthedirtofthestreetsonyou！\"
Mercy\'sheadsanklower；herhandtrembledasitheldbythebackofthechair。
Itwashardtobearthereiteratedinsultsheapedonher，butJulian\'sinfluencestillmadeitselffelt。Sheansweredaspatientlyasever。
\"Ifitisyourpleasuretousehardwordstome，\"shesaid，\"Ihavenorighttoresentthem。\"
\"Youhavenorighttoanything！\"Graceretorted。\"Youhavenorighttothegownonyourback。Lookatyourself，andlookatMe！\"HereyestraveledwithatigerishstareoverMercy\'scostlysilkdress。\"Whogaveyouthatdress？whogaveyouthosejewels？Iknow！LadyJanetgavethemtoGraceRoseberry。AreyouGraceRoseberry？Thatdressismine。Takeoffyourbraceletsandyourbrooch。Theyweremeantforme。\"
\"Youmaysoonhavethem，MissRoseberry。Theywillnotbeinmypossessionmanyhourslonger。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Howeverbadlyyoumayuseme，itismydutytoundotheharmthatIhavedone。Iamboundtodoyoujustice——Iamdeterminedtoconfessthetruth。\"
Gracesmiledscornfully。
\"Youconfess！\"shesaid。\"DoyouthinkIamfoolenoughtobelievethat？Youareoneshamefulbrazenliefromheadtofoot！Areyouthewomantogiveupyoursilksandyourjewels，andyourpositioninthishouse，andtogobacktotheRefugeofyourownaccord？Notyou——notyou！\"
Afirstfaintflushofcolorshoweditself，stealingslowlyoverMercy\'sface；butshestillheldresolutelybythegoodinfluencewhichJulianhadleftbehindhim。Shecouldstillsaytoherself，\"AnythingratherthandisappointJulianGray。\"Sustainedbythecouragewhichhehadcalledtolifeinher，shesubmittedtohermartyrdomasbravelyasever。Buttherewasanominouschangeinhernow：shecouldonlysubmitinsilence；shecouldnolongertrustherselftoanswer。
ThemuteenduranceinherfaceadditionallyexasperatedGraceRoseberry。
\"Youwon\'tconfess，\"shewenton。\"Youhavehadaweektoconfessin，andyouhavenotdoneityet。No，no！youareofthesortthatcheatandlietothelast。Iamgladofit；Ishallhavethejoyofexposingyoumyselfbeforethewholehouse。Ishallbetheblessedmeansofcastingyoubackonthestreets。Oh！itwillbealmostworthallIhavegonethroughtoseeyouwithapoliceman\'shandonyourarm，andthemobpointingatyouandmockingyouonyourwaytojail！\"
Thistimethestingstruckdeep；theoutragewasbeyondendurance。Mercygavethewomanwhohadagainandagaindeliberatelyinsultedherafirstwarning。
\"MissRoseberry，\"shesaid，\"Ihavebornewithoutamurmurthebitterestwordsyoucouldsaytome。Sparemeanymoreinsults。Indeed，indeed，Iameagertorestoreyoutoyourjustrights。WithmywholeheartIsayittoyou——Iamresolvedtoconfesseverything！\"
Shespokewithtremblingearnestnessoftone。can，andwill，beforeIrestto-night，tellthewholetruthtoMr。JulianGray。\"
Graceburstoutlaughing。\"Aha！\"sheexclaimed，withacynicaloutburstofgayety。\"Nowwehavecometoitatlast！\"
\"Takecare！\"saidMercy。\"Takecare！\"
\"Mr。JulianGray！Iwasbehindthebilliard-roomdoor——IsawyoucoaxMr。JulianGraytocomein！confessionlosesallitshorrors，andbecomesquitealuxury，withMr。JulianGray！\"
\"Nomore，MissRoseberry！nomore！ForGod\'ssake，don\'tputmebesidemyself！Youhavetorturedmeenoughalready。\"
\"Youhaven\'tbeenonthestreetsfornothing。Youareawomanwithresources；youknowthevalueofhavingtwostringstoyourbow。IfMr。Holmcroftfailsyou，youhavegotMr。JulianGray。Ah！yousickenme。I\'llseethatMr。Holmcroft\'seyesareopened；heshallknowwhatawomanhemighthavemarriedbutforMe——\"
Shecheckedherself；thenextrefinementofinsultremainedsuspendedonherlips。
Thewomanwhomshehadoutragedsuddenlyadvancedonher。Hereyes，staringhelplesslyupward，sawMercyMerrick\'sface，whitewiththeterribleangerwhichdrivesthebloodbackontheheart，bendingthreateninglyoverher。
\"\'YouwillseethatMr。Holmcroft\'seyesareopened，\'\"Mercyslowlyrepeated；\"\'heshallknowwhatawomanhemighthavemarriedbutforyou！\'\"
Shepaused，andfollowedthosewordsbyaquestionwhichstruckacreepingterrorthroughGraceRoseberry，fromthehairofherheadtothesolesofherfeet：
\"Whoareyou？\"
Thesuppressedfuryoflookandtonewhichaccompaniedthatquestiontold，asnoviolencecouldhavetoldit，thatthelimitsofMercy\'sendurancehadbeenfoundatlast。Intheguardianangel\'sabsencetheevilgeniushaddoneitsevilwork。ThebetternaturewhichJulianGrayhadbroughttolifesank，poisonedbythevilevenomofawomanlyspitefultongue。AneasyandaterriblemeansofavengingtheoutragesheapedonherwaswithinMercy\'sreach，ifshechosetotakeit。Inthefrenzyofherindignationsheneverhesitated——shetookit。
\"Whoareyou？\"sheaskedforthesecondtime。
Gracerousedherselfandattemptedtospeak。Mercystoppedherwithascornfulgestureofherhand。
\"Iremember！\"shewenton，withthesamefiercelysuppressedrage。\"YouarethemadwomanfromtheGermanhospitalwhocamehereaweekago。Iamnotafraidofyouthistime。Sitdownandrestyourself，MercyMerrick\"
Deliberatelygivingherthatnametoherface，MercyturnedfromherandtookthechairwhichGracehadforbiddenhertooccupywhentheinterviewbegan。Gracestartedtoherfeet。
\"Whatdoesthismean？\"sheasked。
\"Itmeans，\"answeredMercy，contemptuously，\"thatIrecalleverywordIsaidtoyoujustnow。ItmeansthatIamresolvedtokeepmyplaceinthishouse。\"
\"Areyououtofyoursenses？\"
\"Youarenotfarfromthebell。Ringit。Dowhatyouaskedmetodo。Callinthewholehousehold，andaskthemwhichofusismad——youorI。\"
\"MercyMerrick！youshallrepentthistothelasthourofyourlife！\"
Mercyroseagain，andfixedherflashingeyesonthewomanwhostilldefiedher。
\"Ihavehadenoughofyou！\"shesaid。\"Leavethehousewhileyoucanleaveit。Stayhere，andIwillsendforLadyJanetRoy。\"
\"Youcan\'tsendforher！Youdaren\'tsendforher！\"
\"IcanandIdare。Youhavenotashadowofaproofagainstme。Ihavegotthepapers；Iaminpossessionoftheplace；IhaveestablishedmyselfinLadyJanet\'sconfidence。Imeantodeserveyouropinionofme——Iwillkeepmydressesandmyjewelsandmypositioninthehouse。IdenythatIhavedonewrong。Societyhasusedmecruelly；IowenothingtoSociety。IhavearighttotakeanyadvantageofitifIcan。IdenythatIhaveinjuredyou。HowwasItoknowthatyouwouldcometolifeagain？HaveIdegradedyournameandyourcharacter？Ihavedonehonortoboth。Ihavewoneverybody\'slikingandeverybody\'srespect。DoyouthinkLadyJanetwouldhavelovedyouasshelovesme？Notshe！ItellyoutoyourfaceIhavefilledthefalsepositionmorecreditablythanyoucouldhavefilledthetrueone，andImeantokeepit。Iwon\'tgiveupyourname；Iwon\'trestoreyourcharacter！Doyourworst；Idefyyou！\"
Shepouredoutthoserecklesswordsinoneheadlongflowwhichdefiedinterruption。Therewasnoansweringheruntilshewastoobreathlesstosaymore。Graceseizedheropportunitythemomentitwaswithinherreach。
\"Youdefyme？\"shereturned，resolutely。\"Youwon\'tdefymelong。IhavewrittentoCanada。Myfriendswillspeakforme。\"
\"Whatofit，iftheydo？Yourfriendsarestrangershere。IamLadyJanet\'sadopteddaughter。Doyouthinkshewillbelieveyourfriends？Shewillbelieveme。Shewillburntheirlettersiftheywrite。Shewillforbidthehousetothemiftheycome。IshallbeMrs。HoraceHolmcroftinaweek\'stime。Whocanshakemyposition？WhocaninjureMe？\"
\"Waitalittle。YouforgetthematronattheRefuge。\"
\"Findher，ifyoucan。Inevertoldyouhername。InevertoldyouwheretheRefugewas。\"
\"Iwilladvertiseyourname，andfindthematroninthatway。\"
\"AdvertiseineverynewspaperinLondon。DoyouthinkIgaveastrangerlikeyouthenameIreallyboreintheRefuge？IgaveyouthenameIassumedwhenIleftEngland。NosuchpersonasMercyMerrickisknowntothematron。NosuchpersonisknowntoMr。Holmcroft。HesawmeattheFrenchcottagewhileyouweresenselessonthebed。Ihadmygraycloakon；neitherhenoranyofthemsawmeinmynurse\'sdress。InquirieshavebeenmadeaboutmeontheContinent——andIhappentoknowfromthepersonwhomadethemwithnoresult。Iamsafeinyourplace；Iamknownbyyourname。IamGraceRoseberry；andyouareMercyMerrick。Disproveit，ifyoucan！\"
Summinguptheunassailablesecurityofherfalsepositioninthoseclosingwords，Mercypointedsignificantlytothebilliard-roomdoor。
\"Youwerehidingthere，byyourownconfession，\"shesaid。\"Youknowyourwayoutbythatdoor。Willyouleavetheroom？\"
\"Iwon\'tstirastep！\"
Mercywalkedtoaside-table，andstruckthebellplacedonit。
Atthesamemomentthebilliard-roomdooropened。JulianGrayappeared——returningfromhisunsuccessfulsearchinthegrounds。
Hehadbarelycrossedthethresholdbeforethelibrarydoorwasthrownopennextbytheservantpostedintheroom。Themandrewbackrespectfully，andgaveadmissiontoLadyJanetRoy。ShewasfollowedbyHoraceHolmcroftwithhismother\'sweddingpresenttoMercyinhishand。
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[TableofContents]TheNewMagdalen，Chapter20CHAPTERXX
THEPOLICEMANINPLAINCLOTHES。
JULIANlookedroundtheroom，andstoppedatthedoorwhichhehadjustopened。
HiseyesrestedfirstonMercy，nextonGrace。
Thedisturbedfacesofboththewomentoldhimbuttooplainlythatthedisasterwhichhehaddreadedhadactuallyhappened。Theyhadmetwithoutanythirdpersontointerferebetweenthem。Towhatextremitiesthehostileinterviewmighthaveleditwasimpossibleforhimtoguess。Inhisaunt\'spresencehecouldonlywaithisopportunityofspeakingtoMercy，andbereadytointerposeifanythingwasignorantlydonewhichmightgivejustcauseofoffensetoGrace。
LadyJanet\'scourseofactiononenteringthedining-roomwasinperfectharmonywithLadyJanet\'scharacter。
Instantlydiscoveringtheintruder，shelookedsharplyatMercy。\"WhatdidItellyou？\"sheasked。\"Areyoufrightened？No！notintheleastfrightened！Wonderful！\"Sheturnedtotheservant。\"Waitinthelibrary；Imaywantyouagain。\"ShelookedatJulian。\"Leaveitalltome；Icanmanageit。\"ShemadeasigntoHorace。\"Staywhereyouare，andholdyourtongue。\"Havingnowsaidallthatwasnecessarytoeveryoneelse，sheadvancedtothepartoftheroominwhichGracewasstanding，withloweringbrowsandfirmlyshutlips，defiantofeverybody。