\"Ihavenodesiretooffendyou，ortoactharshlytowardyou，\"herladyshipbegan，veryquietly。\"Ionlysuggestthatyourvisitstomyhousecannotpossiblyleadtoanysatisfactoryresult。Ihopeyouwillnotobligemetosayanyharderwordsthanthese——IhopeyouwillunderstandthatIwishyoutowithdraw。\"
Theorderofdismissalcouldhardlyhavebeenissuedwithmorehumaneconsiderationforthesupposedmentalinfirmityofthepersontowhomitwasaddressed。Graceinstantlyresisteditintheplainestpossibleterms。
\"Injusticetomyfather\'smemoryandinjusticetomyself，\"sheanswered，\"Iinsistonahearing。Irefusetowithdraw。\"Shedeliberatelytookachairandseatedherselfinthepresenceofthemistressofthehouse。
LadyJanetwaitedamoment——steadilycontrollinghertemper。IntheintervalofsilenceJulianseizedtheopportunityofremonstratingwithGrace。
\"Isthiswhatyoupromisedme？\"heasked，gently。\"YougavemeyourwordthatyouwouldnotreturntoMablethorpeHouse。\"
BeforehecouldsaymoreLadyJanethadgothertemperundercommand。ShebeganheranswertoGracebypointingwithaperemptoryforefingertothelibrarydoor。
\"IfyouhavenotmadeupyourmindtotakemyadvicebythetimeIhavewalkedbacktothatdoor，\"shesaid，\"Iwillputitoutofyourpowertosetmeatdefiance。Iamusedtobeobeyed，andIwillbeobeyed。Youforcemetousehardwords。Iwarnyoubeforeitistoolate。Go！\"
Shereturnedslowlytowardthelibrary。Julianattemptedtointerferewithanotherwordofremonstrance。Hisauntstoppedhimbyagesturewhichsaid，plainly，\"Iinsistonactingformyself。\"HelookednextatMercy。Wouldsheremainpassive？Yes。Sheneverliftedherhead；shenevermovedfromtheplaceinwhichshewasstandingapartfromtherest。Horacehimselftriedtoattractherattention，andtriedinvain。
Arrivedatthelibrarydoor，LadyJanetlookedoverhershoulderatthelittleimmovableblackfigureinthechair。
\"Willyougo？\"sheasked，forthelasttime。
Gracestartedupangrilyfromherseat，andfixedherviperisheyesonMercy。
\"Iwon\'tbeturnedoutofyourladyship\'shouseinthepresenceofthatimpostor，\"shesaid。\"Imayyieldtoforce，butIwillyieldtonothingelse。Iinsistonmyrighttotheplacethatshehasstolenfromme。It\'snousescoldingme，\"sheadded，turningdoggedlytoJulian。\"AslongasthatwomanishereundermynameIcan\'tandwon\'tkeepawayfromthehouse。Iwarnher，inyourpresence，thatIhavewrittentomyfriendsinCanada！Idareherbeforeyoualltodenythatsheistheoutcastandadventuress，MercyMerrick！\"
ThechallengeforcedMercytotakepartintheproceedingsinherowndefense。ShehadpledgedherselftomeetanddefyGraceRoseberryonherownground。Sheattemptedtospeak——Horacestoppedher。
\"Youdegradeyourselfifyouanswerher，\"hesaid。\"Takemyarm，andletusleavetheroom。\"
\"Yes！Takeherout！\"criedGrace。\"Shemaywellbeashamedtofaceanhonestwoman。It\'sherplacetoleavetheroom——notmine！\"
MercydrewherhandoutofHorace\'sarm。\"Ideclinetoleavetheroom，\"shesaid，quietly。
Horacestilltriedtopersuadehertowithdraw。\"Ican\'tbeartohearyouinsulted，\"herejoined。\"Thewomanoffendsme，thoughIknowsheisnotresponsibleforwhatshesays。\"
\"Nobody\'sendurancewillbetriedmuchlonger，\"saidLadyJanet。SheglancedatJulian，andtakingfromherpocketthecardwhichhehadgiventoher，openedthelibrarydoor。
\"Gotothepolicestation，\"shesaidtotheservantinanundertone，\"andgivethatcardtotheinspectoronduty。Tellhimthereisnotamomenttolose。\"
\"Stop！\"saidJulian，beforehisauntcouldclosethedooragain。
\"Stop？\"repeatedLadyJanet，sharply。\"Ihavegiventhemanhisorders。Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"BeforeyousendthecardIwishtosayawordinprivatetothislady，\"repliedJulian，indicatingGrace。\"Whenthatisdone，\"hecontinued，approachingMercy，andpointedlyaddressinghimselftoher，\"Ishallhavearequesttomake——Ishallaskyoutogivemeanopportunityofspeakingtoyouwithoutinterruption。\"
Histonepointedtheallusion。Mercyshrankfromlookingathim。Thesignsofpainfulagitationbegantoshowthemselvesinhershiftingcolorandheruneasysilence。RousedbyJulian\'ssignificantlydistantreferencetowhathadpassedbetweenthem，herbetterimpulseswerestrugglingalreadytorecovertheirinfluenceoverher。Shemight，atthatcriticalmoment，haveyieldedtothepromptingsofherownnoblernature——shemighthaverisensuperiortothegallingremembranceoftheinsultsthathadbeenheapeduponher——ifGrace\'smalicehadnotseeninherhesitationameansofreferringoffensivelyonceagaintoherinterviewwithJulianGray。
\"Praydon\'tthinktwiceabouttrustinghimalonewithme，\"shesaid，withasardonicaffectationofpoliteness。\"IamnotinterestedinmakingaconquestofMr。JulianGray。\"
ThejealousdistrustinHoracealreadyawakenedbyJulian\'srequestnowattemptedtoassertitselfopenly。Beforehecouldspeak，Mercy\'sindignationhaddictatedMercy\'sanswer。
\"Iammuchobligedtoyou，Mr。Gray，\"shesaid，addressingJulianbutstillnotraisinghereyestohis。\"Ihavenothingmoretosay。Thereisnoneedformetotroubleyouagain。\"
Inthoserashwordssherecalledtheconfessiontowhichshestoodpledged。Inthoserashwordsshecommittedherselftokeepingthepositionthatshehadusurped，inthefaceofthewomanwhomshehaddeprivedofit！
Horacewassilenced，butnotsatisfied。HesawJulian\'seyesfixedinsadandsearchingattentiononMercy\'sfacewhileshewasspeaking。HeheardJuliansightohimselfwhenshehaddone。HeobservedJulian——afteramoment\'sseriousconsideration，andamoment\'sglancebackwardatthestrangerinthepoorblackclothes——lifthisheadwiththeairofamanwhohadtakenasuddenresolution。
\"Bringmethatcarddirectly，\"hesaidtotheservant。Histoneannouncedthathewasnottobetrifledwith。Themanobeyed。
WithoutansweringLadyJanet——whostillperemptorilyinsistedonherrighttoactforherself——Juliantookthepencilfromhispocketbookandaddedhissignaturetothewritingalreadyinscribedonthecard。Whenhehadhandeditbacktotheservanthemadehisapologiestohisaunt。
\"Pardonmeforventuringtointerfere，\"hesaid\"ThereisaseriousreasonforwhatIhavedone，whichIwillexplaintoyouatafittertime。InthemeanwhileIoffernofurtherobstructiontothecoursewhichyouproposetaking。Onthecontrary，Ihavejustassistedyouingainingtheendthatyouhaveinview。\"
Ashesaidthatheheldupthepencilwithwhichhehadsignedhisname。
LadyJanet，naturallyperplexed，andwithsomereason，perhapsoffendedaswell，madenoanswer。Shewavedherhandtotheservant，andsenthimawaywiththecard。
Therewassilenceintheroom。TheeyesofallthepersonspresentturnedmoreorlessanxiouslyonJulian。Mercywasvaguelysurprisedandalarmed。Horace，likeLadyJanet，feltoffended，withoutclearlyknowingwhy。EvenGraceRoseberryherselfwassubduedbyherownpresentimentofsomecominginterferenceforwhichshewascompletelyunprepared。Julian\'swordsandactions，fromthemomentwhenhehadwrittenonthecard，wereinvolvedinamysterytowhichnotoneofthepersonsroundhimheldtheclew。
Themotivewhichhadanimatedhisconductmay，nevertheless，bedescribedintwowords：JulianstillheldtohisfaithintheinbrednobilityofMercy\'snature。
Hehadinferred，withlittledifficulty，fromthelanguagewhichGracehadusedtowardMercyinhispresence，thattheinjuredwomanmusthavetakenpitilessadvantageofherpositionattheinterviewwhichhehadinterrupted。InsteadofappealingtoMercy\'ssympathiesandMercy\'ssenseofright——insteadofacceptingtheexpressionofhersincerecontrition，andencouraginghertomakethecompletestandthespeediestatonement——Gracehadevidentlyoutragedandinsultedher。Asanecessaryresult，herendurancehadgivenway——underherownsenseofintolerableseverityandintolerablewrong。
Theremedyforthemischiefthusdonewas，asJulianhadfirstseenit，tospeakprivatelywithGrace，tosootheherbyowningthathisopinionofthejusticeofherclaimshadundergoneachangeinherfavor，andthentopersuadeher，inherowninterests，tolethimcarrytoMercysuchexpressionsofapologyandregretasmightleadtoafriendlyunderstandingbetweenthem。
Withthosemotives，hehadmadehisrequesttobepermittedtospeakseparatelytotheoneandtheother。Thescenethathadfollowed，thenewinsultofferedbyGrace，andtheanswerwhichithadwrungfromMercy，hadconvincedhimthatnosuchinterferenceashehadcontemplatedwouldhavetheslightestprospectofsuccess。
Theonlyremedynowlefttotrywasthedesperateremedyoflettingthingstaketheircourse，andtrustingimplicitlytoMercy\'sbetternaturefortheresult。
Letherseethepoliceofficerinplainclothesentertheroom。Letherunderstandclearlywhattheresultofhisinterferencewouldbe。LetherconfrontthealternativeofconsigningGraceRoseberrytoamad-houseorofconfessingthetruth——andwhatwouldhappen？IfJulian\'sconfidenceinherwasaconfidencesoundlyplaced，shewouldnoblypardontheoutragesthathadbeenheapeduponher，andshewoulddojusticetothewomanwhomshehadwronged。
If，ontheotherhand，hisbeliefinherwasnothingbetterthantheblindbeliefofaninfatuatedman——ifshefacedthealternativeandpersistedinassertingherassumedidentity——whatthen？
Julian\'sfaithinMercyrefusedtoletthatdarkersideofthequestionfindaplaceinhisthoughts。Itrestedentirelywithhimtobringtheofficerintothehouse。HehadpreventedLadyJanetfrommakinganymischievoususeofhiscardbysendingtothepolicestationandwarningthemtoattendtonomessagewhichtheymightreceiveunlessthecardproducedborehissignature。Knowingtheresponsibilitythathewastakingonhimself——knowingthatMercyhadmadenoconfessiontohimtowhichitwaspossibletoappeal——hehadsignedhisnamewithoutaninstant\'shesitation：andtherehestoodnow，lookingatthewomanwhosebetternaturehewasdeterminedtovindicate，theonlycalmpersonintheroom。
Horace\'sjealousysawsomethingsuspiciouslysuggestiveofaprivateunderstandinginJulian\'searnestattentionandinMercy\'sdowncastface。Havingnoexcuseforopeninterference，hemadeanefforttopartthem。
\"Youspokejustnow，\"hesaidtoJulian，\"ofwishingtosayawordinprivatetothatperson。\"HepointedtoGrace。\"Shallweretire，orwillyoutakeherintothelibrary？\"
\"Irefusetohaveanythingtosaytohim，\"Graceburstout，beforeJuliancouldanswer。\"Ihappentoknowthatheisthelastpersontodomejustice。Hehasbeeneffectuallyhoodwinked。IfIspeaktoanybodyprivately，itoughttobetoyou。Youhavethegreatestinterestofanyoftheminfindingoutthetruth。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Doyouwanttomarryanoutcastfromthestreets？\"
Horacetookonestepforwardtowardher。Therewasalookinhisfacewhichplainlybetrayedthathewascapableofturningheroutofthehousewithhisownhands。LadyJanetstoppedhim。
\"YouwererightinsuggestingjustnowthatGracehadbetterleavetheroom，\"shesaid。\"Letusallthreego。Julianwillremainhereandgivethemanhisdirectionswhenhearrives。Come。\"
No。ByastrangecontradictionitwasHoracehimselfwhonowinterferedtopreventMercyfromleavingtheroom。Intheheatofhisindignationhelostallsenseofhisowndignity；hedescendedtothelevelofawomanwhoseintellecthebelievedtobederanged。Tothesurpriseofeveryonepresent，hesteppedbackandtookfromthetableajewel-casewhichhehadplacedtherewhenhecameintotheroom。Itwastheweddingpresentfromhismotherwhichhehadbroughttohisbetrothedwife。Hisoutragedself-esteemseizedtheopportunityofvindicatingMercybyapublicbestowalofthegift。
\"Wait！\"hecalledout，sternly。\"Thatwretchshallhaveheranswer。Shehassenseenoughtoseeandsenseenoughtohear。Letherseeandhear！\"
Heopenedthejewel-case，andtookfromitamagnificentpearlnecklaceinanantiquesetting。
\"Grace，\"hesaid，withhishighestdistinctionofmanner，\"mymothersendsyouherloveandhercongratulationsonourapproachingmarriage。Shebegsyoutoaccept，aspartofyourbridaldress，thesepearls。Shewasmarriedinthemherself。Theyhavebeeninourfamilyforcenturies。Asoneofthefamily，honoredandbeloved，mymotheroffersthemtomywife。\"
HeliftedthenecklacetoclaspitroundMercy\'sneck。
Julianwatchedherinbreathlesssuspense。WouldshesustaintheordealthroughwhichHoracehadinnocentlycondemnedhertopass？
Yes！IntheinsolentpresenceofGraceRoseberry，whatwastherenowthatshecouldnotsustain？Herpridewasinarms。Herlovelyeyeslightedupasonlyawoman\'seyescanlightupwhentheyseejewelry。Hergrandheadbentgracefullytoreceivethenecklace。Herfacewarmedintocolor；herbeautyrallieditscharms。HertriumphoverGraceRoseberrywascomplete！Julian\'sheadsank。Foronesadmomenthesecretlyaskedhimselfthequestion：\"HaveIbeenmistakeninher？\"
Horacearrayedherinthepearls。
\"Yourhusbandputsthesepearlsonyourneck，love，\"hesaid，proudly，andpausedtolookather。\"Now，\"headded，withacontemptuousbackwardglanceatGrace，\"wemaygointothelibrary。Shehasseen，andshehasheard。\"
Hebelievedthathehadsilencedher。Hehadsimplyfurnishedhersharptonguewithanewsting。
\"Youwillhear，andyouwillsee，whenmyproofscomefromCanada，\"sheretorted。\"Youwillhearthatyourwifehasstolenmynameandmycharacter！Youwillseeyourwifedismissedfromthishouse！\"
Mercyturnedonherwithanuncontrollableoutburstofpassion。
\"Youaremad！\"shecried。
LadyJanetcaughttheelectricinfectionofangerintheairoftheroom。She，too，turnedonGrace。She，too，saidit：
\"Youaremad！\"
HoracefollowedLadyJanet。Hewasbesidehimself。HefixedhispitilesseyesonGrace，andechoedthecontagiouswords：
\"Youaremad！\"
Shewassilenced，shewasdauntedatlast。Thetrebleaccusationrevealedtoher，forthefirsttime，thefrightfulsuspiciontowhichshehadexposedherself。Sheshrankbackwithalowcryofhorror，andstruckagainstachair。ShewouldhavefallenifJulianhadnotsprungforwardandcaughther。
LadyJanetledthewayintothelibrary。Sheopenedthedoor——started——andsuddenlysteppedaside，soastoleavetheentrancefree。
Amanappearedintheopendoorway。
Hewasnotagentleman；hewasnotaworkman；hewasnotaservant。Hewasvilelydressed，inglossyblackbroadcloth。Hisfrockcoathungonhiminsteadoffittinghim。Hiswaistcoatwastooshortandtootightoverthechest。Histrouserswereapairofshapelessblackbags。Hisglovesweretoolargeforhim。Hishighly-polishedbootscreakeddetestablywheneverhemoved。Hehadodiouslywatchfuleyes——eyesthatlookedskilledinpeepingthroughkey-holes。Hislargeears，setforwardliketheearsofamonkey，pleadedguiltytomeanlylisteningbehindotherpeople\'sdoors。Hismannerwasquietlyconfidentialwhenhespoke，impenetrablyself-possessedwhenhewassilent。Alurkingairofsecretserviceenvelopedthefellow，likeanatmosphereofhisown，fromheadtofoot。Helookedallroundthemagnificentroomwithoutbetrayingeithersurpriseoradmiration。Hecloselyinvestigatedeverypersoninitwithoneglanceofhiscunninglywatchfuleyes。MakinghisbowtoLadyJanet，hesilentlyshowedher，ashisintroduction，thecardthathadsummonedhim。Andthenhestoodatease，self-revealedinhisownsinisteridentity——apoliceofficerinplainclothes。
Nobodyspoketohim。Everybodyshrankinwardlyasifareptilehadcrawledintotheroom。
Helookedbackwardandforward，perfectlyunembarrassed，betweenJulianandHorace。
\"IsMr。JulianGrayhere？\"heasked。
JulianledGracetoaseat。Hereyeswerefixedontheman。Shetrembled——shewhispered，\"Whoishe？\"Julianspoketothepoliceofficerwithoutansweringher。
\"Waitthere，\"hesaid，pointingtoachairinthemostdistantcorneroftheroom。\"Iwillspeaktoyoudirectly。\"
Themanadvancedtothechair，marchingtothediscordofhiscreakingboots。Heprivatelyvaluedthecarpetatsomuchayardashewalkedoverit。Heprivatelyvaluedthechairatsomuchthedozenashesatdownonit。Hewasquiteathisease：itwasnomattertohimwhetherhewaitedanddidnothing，orwhetherhepriedintotheprivatecharacterofeveryoneintheroom，aslongashewaspaidforit。
EvenLadyJanet\'sresolutiontoactforherselfwasnotproofagainsttheappearanceofthepolicemaninplainclothes。Sheleftittohernephewtotakethelead。JulianglancedatMercybeforehestirredfurtherinthematter。Healoneknewthattheendrestednownotwithhimbutwithher。
Shefelthiseyeonherwhileherowneyeswerelookingattheman。Sheturnedherhead——hesitated——andsuddenlyapproachedJulian。LikeGraceRoseberry，shewastrembling。LikeGraceRoseberry，shewhispered，\"Whoishe？\"
Juliantoldherplainlywhohewas。
\"Whyishehere？\"
\"Can\'tyouguess？\"
\"No！\"
HoraceleftLadyJanet，andjoinedMercyandJulian——impatientoftheprivatecolloquybetweenthem。
\"AmIintheway？\"heinquired。
Juliandrewbackalittle，understandingHoraceperfectly。HelookedroundatGrace。Nearlythewholelengthofthespaciousroomdividedthemfromtheplaceinwhichshewassitting。Shehadnevermovedsincehehadplacedherinachair。Thedirestofallterrorswasinpossessionofher——terroroftheunknown。Therewasnofearofherinterfering，andnofearofherhearingwhattheysaidsolongastheywerecarefultospeakinguardedtones。Juliansettheexamplebyloweringhisvoice。
\"AskHoracewhythepoliceofficerishere？\"hesaidtoMercy。
Sheputthequestiondirectly。\"Whyishehere？\"
HoracelookedacrosstheroomatGrace，andanswered，\"Heisheretorelieveusofthatwoman。\"
\"Doyoumeanthathewilltakeheraway？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Wherewillhetakeherto？\"
\"Tothepolicestation。\"
Mercystarted，andlookedatJulian。Hewasstillwatchingtheslightestchangesinherface。ShelookedbackagainatHorace。
\"Tothepolicestation！\"sherepeated。\"Whatfor？\"
\"Howcanyouaskthequestion？\"saidHorace，irritably。\"Tobeplacedunderrestraint，ofcourse。\"
\"Doyoumeanprison？\"
\"Imeananasylum。\"
AgainMercyturnedtoJulian。Therewashorrornow，aswellassurprise，inherface。\"Oh！\"shesaidtohim，\"Horaceissurelywrong？Itcan\'tbe？\"
JulianleftittoHoracetoanswer。EveryfacilityinhimseemedtobestillabsorbedinwatchingMercy\'sface。ShewascompelledtoaddressherselftoHoraceoncemore。
\"Whatsortofasylum？\"sheasked。\"Youdon\'tsurelymeanamadhouse？\"
\"Ido，\"herejoined。\"Theworkhousefirst，perhaps——andthenthemadhouse。Whatistheretosurpriseyouinthat？Youyourselftoldhertoherfaceshewasmad。GoodHeavens！howpaleyouare！Whatisthematter？\"
SheturnedtoJulianforthethirdtime。Theterriblealternativethatwasofferedtoherhadshoweditselfatlast，withoutreserveordisguise。Restoretheidentitythatyouhavestolen，orshutherupinamadhouse——itrestswithyoutochoose！Inthatformthesituationshapeditselfinhermind。Shechoseontheinstant。BeforesheopenedherlipsthehighernatureinherspoketoJulian，inhereyes。Thesteadyinnerlightthathehadseeninthemoncealreadyshoneinthemagain，brighterandpurerthanbefore。Theconsciencethathehadfortified，thesoulthathehadsaved，lookedathimandsaid，Doubtusnomore！
\"Sendthatmanoutofthehouse。\"
Thosewereherfirstwords。Shespokepointingtothepoliceofficerinclear，ringing，resolutetones，audibleintheremotestcorneroftheroom。
Julian\'shandstoleunobservedtohers，andtoldher，initsmomentarypressure，tocountonhisbrotherlysympathyandhelp。Alltheotherpersonsintheroomlookedatherinspeechlesssurprise。Gracerosefromherchair。Eventhemaninplainclothesstartedtohisfeet。LadyJanethurriedlyjoiningHorace，andfullysharinghisperplexityandalarmtookMercyimpulsivelybythearm，andshookit，asiftorousehertoasenseofwhatshewasdoing。Mercyheldfirm；Mercyresolutelyrepeatedwhatshehadsaid：\"Sendthatmanoutofthehouse。\"
LadyJanetlostallherpatiencewithher。\"Whathascometoyou？\"sheasked，sternly。\"Doyouknowwhatyouaresaying？Themanishereinyourinterest，aswellasinmine；themanisheretospareyou，aswellasme，furtherannoyanceandinsult。Andyouinsist——insist，inmypresence——onhisbeingsentaway！Whatdoesitmean？\"
\"Youshallknowwhatitmeans，LadyJanet，inhalfanhour。Idon\'tinsist——Ionlyreiteratemyentreaty。Letthemanbesentaway。\"
Juliansteppedasidewithhisaunt\'seyesangrilyfollowinghimandspoketothepoliceofficer。\"Gobacktothestation，\"hesaid，\"andwaittheretillyouhearfromme。\"
ThemeanlyvigilanteyesofthemaninplainclothestraveledsidelongfromJuliantoMercy，andvaluedherbeautyastheyhadvaluedthecarpetandthechairs。\"Theoldstory，\"hethought。\"Thenice-lookingwomanisalwaysatthebottomofit；and，soonerorlater，thenice-lookingwomanhasherway。\"Hemarchedbackacrosstheroom，tothediscordofhisowncreakingboots，bowed，withavillainoussmilewhichputtheworstconstructiononeverything，andvanishedthroughthelibrarydoor。
LadyJanet\'shighbreedingrestrainedherfromsayinganythinguntilthepoliceofficerwasoutofhearing。Then，andnottillthen，sheappealedtoJulian。
\"Ipresumeyouareinthesecretofthis？\"shesaid。\"Isupposeyouhavesomereasonforsettingmyauthorityatdefianceinmyownhouse？\"
\"Ihaveneveryetfailedtorespectyourladyship，\"Juliananswered。\"BeforelongyouwillknowthatIamnotfailinginrespecttowardyounow。\"
LadyJanetlookedacrosstheroom。Gracewaslisteningeagerly，consciousthateventshadtakensomemysteriousturninherfavorwithinthelastminute。
\"Isitpartofyournewarrangementofmyaffairs，\"herladyshipcontinued，\"thatthispersonistoremaininthehouse？\"
TheterrorthathaddauntedGracehadnotlostallholdofheryet。SheleftittoJuliantoreply。BeforehecouldspeakMercycrossedtheroomandwhisperedtoher，\"Givemetimetoconfessitinwriting。Ican\'townitbeforethem——withthisroundmyneck。\"Shepointedtothenecklace。Gracecastathreateningglanceather，andsuddenlylookedawayagaininsilence。
MercyansweredLadyJanet\'squestion。\"Ibegyourladyshiptopermithertoremainuntilthehalfhourisover，\"shesaid。\"Myrequestwillhaveexplaineditselfbythattime。\"
LadyJanetraisednofurtherobstacles。ForsomethinginMercy\'sface，orinMercy\'stone，seemedtohavesilencedher，asithadsilencedGrace。Horacewasthenextwhospoke。IntonesofsuppressedrageandsuspicionheaddressedhimselftoMercy，standingfrontinghimbyJulian\'sside。
\"AmIincluded，\"heasked，\"inthearrangementwhichengagesyoutoexplainyourextraordinaryconductinhalfanhour？\"
Hishandhadplacedhismother\'sweddingpresentroundMercy\'sneck。AsharppangwrungherasshelookedatHorace，andsawhowdeeplyshehadalreadydistressedandoffendedhim。Thetearsroseinhereyes；shehumblyandfaintlyansweredhim。
\"Ifyouplease，\"wasallshecouldsay，beforethecruelswellingatherheartroseandsilencedher。
Horace\'ssenseofinjuryrefusedtobesoothedbysuchsimplesubmissionasthis。
\"Idislikemysteriesandinnuendoes，\"hewenton，harshly。\"Inmyfamilycircleweareaccustomedtomeeteachotherfrankly。WhyamItowaithalfanhourforanexplanationwhichmightbegivennow？WhatamItowaitfor？\"
LadyJanetrecoveredherselfasHoracespoke。
\"Ientirelyagreewithyou，\"shesaid。\"Iask，too，whatarewetowaitfor？\"
EvenJulian\'sself-possessionfailedhimwhenhisauntrepeatedthatcruellyplainquestion。HowwouldMercyanswerit？Wouldhercouragestillholdout？
\"Youhaveaskedmewhatyouaretowaitfor，\"shesaidtoHorace，quietlyandfirmly。\"WaittohearsomethingmoreofMercyMerrick\"
LadyJanetlistenedwithalookofwearydisgust。
\"Don\'treturntothat！\"shesaid。\"WeknowenoughaboutMercyMerrickalready。\"
\"Pardonme——yourladyshipdoesnotknow。Iamtheonlypersonwhocaninformyou。\"
\"You？\"
Shebentherheadrespectfully。
\"Ihavebeggedyou，LadyJanet，togivemehalfanhour，\"shewenton。\"InhalfanhourIsolemnlyengagemyselftoproduceMercyMerrickinthisroom。LadyJanetRoy，Mr。HoraceHolmcroft，youaretowaitforthat。\"
Steadilypledgingherselfinthosetermstomakeherconfession，sheunclaspedthepearlsfromherneck，putthemawayintheircasesandplaceditinHorace\'shand。\"Keepit，\"shesaid，withamomentaryfalteringinhervoice，\"untilwemeetagain。\"
Horacetookthecaseinsilence；helookedandactedlikeamanwhosemindwasparalyzedbysurprise。Hishandmovedmechanically。HiseyesfollowedMercywithavacant，questioninglook。LadyJanetseemed，inherdifferentway，tosharethestrangeoppressionthathadfallenonhim。Avaguesenseofdreadanddistresshunglikeacloudoverhermind。Atthatmemorablemomentshefeltherage，shelookedherage，asshehadneverfeltitorlookedityet。
\"HaveIyourladyship\'sleave，\"saidMercy，respectfully，\"togotomyroom？\"
LadyJanetmutelygrantedtherequest。Mercy\'slastlook，beforeshewentout，wasalookatGrace。\"Areyousatisfiednow？\"thegrandgrayeyesseemedtosay，mournfully。Graceturnedherheadaside，withaquick，petulantaction。Evenhernarrownatureopenedforamomentunwillingly，andletpityinalittleway，inspiteofitself。
Mercy\'spartingwordsrecommendedGracetoJulian\'scare：
\"Youwillseethatsheisallowedaroomtowaitin？Youwillwarnheryourselfwhenthehalfhourhasexpired？\"
Julianopenedthelibrarydoorforher。
\"Welldone！Noblydone！\"hewhispered。\"Allmysympathyiswithyou——allmyhelpisyours。\"
Hereyeslookedathim，andthankedhim，throughhergatheringtears。Hisowneyesweredimmed。Shepassedquietlydowntheroom，andwaslosttohimbeforehehadshutthedooragain。
[NextChapter]
[TableofContents]TheNewMagdalen，Chapter21CHAPTERXXI。
THEFOOTSTEPINTHECORRIDOR。
MERCYwasalone。
Shehadsecuredonehalfhourofretirementinherownroom，designingtodevotethatintervaltothewritingofherconfession，intheformofaletteraddressedtoJulianGray。
Norecentchangeinherpositionhad，asyet，mitigatedherhorrorofacknowledgingtoHoraceandtoLadyJanetthatshehadwonherwaytotheirheartsindisguise。ThroughJulianonlycouldshesaythewordswhichweretoestablishGraceRoseberryinherrightpositioninthehouse。
Howwasherconfessiontobeaddressedtohim？Inwriting？orbywordofmouth？
Afterallthathadhappened，fromthetimewhenLadyJanet\'sappearancehadinterruptedthem，shewouldhavefeltreliefratherthanembarrassmentinpersonallyopeningherhearttothemanwhohadsodelicatelyunderstoodher，whohadsofaithfullybefriendedherinhersorestneed。ButtherepeatedbetrayalsofHorace\'sjealoussuspicionofJulianwarnedherthatshewouldonlybesurroundingherselfwithnewdifficulties，andbeplacingJulianinapositionofpainfulembarrassment，ifsheadmittedhimtoaprivateinterviewwhileHoracewasinthehouse。
Theonecourselefttotakewasthecoursethatshehadadopted。DeterminingtoaddressthenarrativeoftheFraudtoJulianintheformofaletter，shearrangedtoadd，attheclose，certaininstructions，pointingouttohimthelineofconductwhichshewishedhimtopursue，TheseinstructionscontemplatedthecommunicationofherlettertoLadyJanetandtoHoraceinthelibrary，whileMercy——self-confessedasthemissingwomanwhomshehadpledgedherselftoproduce——awaitedintheadjoiningroomwhateversentenceitpleasedthemtopronounceonher。HerresolutionnottoscreenherselfbehindJulianfromanyconsequenceswhichmightfollowtheconfessionhadtakenrootinhermindfromthemomentwhenHoracehadharshlyaskedherandwhenLadyJanethadjoinedhiminaskingwhyshedelayedherexplanation，andwhatshewaskeepingthemwaitingfor。Outoftheverypainwhichthosequestionsinflicted，theideaofwaitinghersentenceinherownpersoninoneroom，whileherlettertoJulianwasspeakingforherinanother，hadsprungtolife。\"Letthembreakmyheartiftheylike，\"shehadthoughttoherself，intheself-abasementofthatbittermoment；\"itwillbenomorethanIhavedeserved。\"
Shelockedherdoorandopenedherwriting-desk。Knowingwhatshehadtodo，shetriedtocollectherselfanddoit。
Theeffortwasinvain。Thosepersonswhostudywritingasanartareprobablytheonlypersonswhocanmeasurethevastdistancewhichseparatesaconceptionasitexistsinthemindfromthereductionofthatconceptiontoformandshapeinwords。TheheavystressofagitationthathadbeenlaidonMercyforhourstogetherhadutterlyunfittedherforthedelicateanddifficultprocessofarrangingtheeventsofanarrativeintheirduesequenceandtheirdueproportiontowardeachother。Againandagainshetriedtobeginherletter，andagainandagainshewasbaffledbythesamehopelessconfusionofideas。Shegaveupthestruggleindespair。
Asenseofsinkingatherheart，aweightofhystericaloppressiononherbosom，warnedhernottoleaveherselfunoccupied，apreytomorbidself-investigationandimaginaryalarms。
Sheturnedinstinctively，foratemporaryemploymentofsomekind，totheconsiderationofherownfuture。Heretherewerenointricaciesorentanglements。TheprospectbeganandendedwithherreturntotheRefuge，ifthematronwouldreceiveher。ShedidnoinjusticetoJulianGray；thatgreatheartwouldfeelforher，thatkindhandwouldbeheldouttoher，sheknew。Butwhatwouldhappenifshethoughtlesslyacceptedallthathissympathymightoffer？Scandalwouldpointtoherbeautyandtohisyouth，andwouldplaceitsownvileinterpretationonthepurestfriendshipthatcouldexistbetweenthem。Andhewouldbethesufferer，forhehadacharacter——aclergyman\'scharacter——tolose。No。Forhissake，outofgratitudetohim，thefarewelltoMablethorpeHousemustbealsothefarewelltoJulianGray。
Thepreciousminuteswerepassing。SheresolvedtowritetothematronandaskifshemighthopetobeforgivenandemployedattheRefugeagain。Occupationovertheletterthatwaseasytowritemighthaveitsfortifyingeffectonhermind，andmightpavethewayforresumingtheletterthatwashardtowrite。Shewaitedamomentatthewindow，thinkingofthepastlifetowhichshewassoontoreturn，beforeshetookupthepenagain。
Herwindowlookedeastward。TheduskyglareoflightedLondonmetherashereyesrestedonthesky。Itseemedtobeckonherbacktothehorrorofthecruelstreets——topointherwaymockinglytothebridgesovertheblackriver——tolurehertothetopoftheparapet，andthedreadfulleapintoGod\'sarms，orintoannihilation——whoknewwhich？
Sheturned，shuddering，fromthewindow。\"Willitendinthatway，\"sheaskedherself，\"ifthematronsaysNo？\"
Shebeganherletter。
\"DEARMADAM——SolongatimehaspassedsinceyouheardfrommethatIalmostshrinkfromwritingtoyou。Iamafraidyouhavealreadygivenmeupinyourownmindasahard-hearted，ungratefulwoman。
\"Ihavebeenleadingafalselife；Ihavenotbeenfittowritetoyoubeforeto-day。Now，whenIamdoingwhatIcantoatonetothosewhomIhaveinjured——now，whenIrepentwithmywholeheart——mayIaskleavetoreturntothefriendwhohasbornewithmeandhelpedmethroughmanymiserableyears？Oh，madam，donotcastmeoff！Ihavenoonetoturntobutyou。
\"Willyouletmeowneverythingtoyou？WillyouforgivemewhenyouknowwhatIhavedone？WillyoutakemebackintotheRefuge，ifyouhaveanyemploymentformebywhichImayearnmyshelterandmybread？
\"BeforethenightcomesImustleavethehousefromwhichIamnowwriting。Ihavenowheretogoto。Thelittlemoney，thefewvaluablepossessionsIhave，mustbeleftbehindme：theyhavebeenobtainedunderfalsepretenses；theyarenotmine。NomoreforlorncreaturethanIamlivesatthismoment。YouareaChristianwoman。Notformysake——forChrist\'ssake——pitymeandtakemeback。
\"Iamagoodnurse，asyouknow，andIamaquickworkerwithmyneedle。Inonewayortheothercanyounotfindoccupationforme？
\"Icouldalsoteach，inaveryunpretendingway。Butthatisuseless。Whowouldtrusttheirchildrentoawomanwithoutacharacter？Thereisnohopeformeinthisdirection。AndyetIamsofondofchildren！IthinkIcouldbe，nothappyagain，perhaps，butcontentwithmylot，ifIcouldbeassociatedwiththeminsomeway。Aretherenotcharitablesocietieswhicharetryingtohelpandprotectdestitutechildrenwanderingaboutthestreets？Ithinkofmyownwretchedchildhood——andoh！IshouldsoliketobeemployedinsavingotherchildrenfromendingasIhaveended。Icouldwork，forsuchanobjectasthat，frommorningtonight，andneverfeelweary。Allmyheartwouldbeinit；andIshouldhavethisadvantageoverhappyandprosperouswomen——Ishouldhavenothingelsetothinkof。Surelytheymighttrustmewiththepoorlittlestarvingwanderersofthestreets——ifyousaidawordforme？IfIamaskingtoomuch，pleaseforgiveme。Iamsowretched，madam——solonelyandsowearyofmylife。
\"Thereisonlyonethingmore。Mytimehereisveryshort。Willyoupleasereplytothislettertosayyesornobytelegram？
\"ThenamebywhichyouknowmeisnotthenamebywhichIhavebeenknownhere。Imustbegyoutoaddressthetelegramto\'TheReverendJulianGray，MablethorpeHouse，Kensington。\'Heishere，andhewillshowittome。NowordsofminecandescribewhatIowetohim。Hehasneverdespairedofme——hehassavedmefrommyself。Godblessandrewardthekindest，truest，bestmanIhaveeverknown！
\"Ihavenomoretosay，excepttoaskyoutoexcusethislongletter，andtobelievemeyourgratefulservant，。\"
Shesignedandinclosedtheletter，andwrotetheaddress。Then，forthefirsttime，anobstaclewhichsheoughttohaveseenbeforeshoweditself，standingstraightinherway。
Therewasnotimetoforwardherletterintheordinarymannerbypost。Itmustbetakentoitsdestinationbyaprivatemessenger。LadyJanet\'sservantshadhithertobeen，oneandall，atherdisposal。Couldshepresumetoemploythemonherownaffairs，whenshemightbedismissedfromthehouse，adisgracedwoman，inhalfanhour\'stime？Ofthetwoalternativesitseemedbettertotakeherchance，andpresentherselfattheRefugewithoutaskingleavefirst。
Whileshewasstillconsideringthequestionshewasstartledbyaknockatherdoor。OnopeningitsheadmittedLadyJanet\'smaid，withamorseloffoldednote-paperinherhand。
\"Frommylady，miss，\"saidthewoman，givingherthenote。\"Thereisnoanswer。\"
Mercystoppedherasshewasabouttoleavetheroom。Theappearanceofthemaidsuggestedaninquirytoher。Sheaskedifanyoftheservantswerelikelytobegoingintotownthatafternoon。
\"Yes，miss。Oneofthegroomsisgoingonhorseback，withamessagetoherladyship\'scoach-maker。\"
TheRefugewasclosebythecoach-maker\'splaceofbusiness。Underthecircumstances，Mercywasemboldenedtomakeuseoftheman。Itwasapardonablelibertytoemployhisservicesnow。
\"Willyoukindlygivethegroomthatletterforme？\"shesaid。\"Itwillnottakehimoutofhisway。Hehasonlytodeliverit——nothingmore。\"
Thewomanwillinglycompliedwiththerequest。Leftoncemorebyherself，Mercylookedatthelittlenotewhichhadbeenplacedinherhands。
Itwasthefirsttimethatherbenefactresshademployedthisformalmethodofcommunicatingwithherwhentheywerebothinthehouse。Whatdidsuchadeparturefromestablishedhabitsmean？Hadshereceivedhernoticeofdismissal？HadLadyJanet\'squickintelligencefounditswayalreadytoasuspicionofthetruth？Mercy\'snerveswereunstrung。Shetrembledpitiablyassheopenedthefoldednote。
Itbeganwithoutaformofaddress，anditendedwithoutasignature。Thusitran：
\"Imustrequestyoutodelayforalittlewhiletheexplanationwhichyouhavepromisedme。Atmyage，painfulsurprisesareverytryingthings。Imusthavetimetocomposemyself，beforeIcanhearwhatyouhavetosay。YoushallnotbekeptwaitinglongerthanIcanhelp。Inthemeanwhileeverythingwillgoonasusual。MynephewJulian，andHoraceHolmcroft，andtheladywhomIfoundinthedining-room，will，bymydesire，remaininthehouseuntilIamabletomeetthem，andtomeetyou，again。\"
Therethenoteended。Towhatconclusiondiditpoint？
HadLadyJanetreallyguessedthetruth？orhadsheonlysurmisedthatheradopteddaughterwasconnectedinsomediscreditablemannerwiththemysteryof\"MercyMerrick\"？Thelineinwhichshereferredtotheintruderinthedining-roomas\"thelady\"showedveryremarkablythatheropinionshadundergoneachangeinthatquarter。ButwasthephraseenoughofitselftojustifytheinferencethatshehadactuallyanticipatedthenatureofMercy\'sconfession？Itwasnoteasytodecidethatdoubtatthemoment——anditprovedtobeequallydifficulttothrowanylightonitatanaftertime。TotheendofherlifeLadyJanetresolutelyrefusedtocommunicatetoanyonetheconclusionswhichshemighthaveprivatelyformed，thegriefswhichshemighthavesecretlystifled，onthatmemorableday。
Amidmuch，however，whichwasbesetwithuncertainty，onethingatleastwasclear。ThetimeatMercy\'sdisposalinherownroomhadbeenindefinitelyprolongedbyMercy\'sbenefactress。Hoursmightpassbeforethedisclosuretowhichshestoodcommittedwouldbeexpectedfromher。InthosehoursshemightsurelycomposehermindsufficientlytobeabletowriteherletterofconfessiontoJulianGray。
Oncemoresheplacedthesheetofpaperbeforeher。Restingherheadonherhandasshesatatthetable，shetriedtotraceherwaythroughthelabyrinthofthepast，beginningwiththedaywhenshehadmetGraceRoseberryintheFrenchcottage，andendingwiththedaywhichhadbroughtthemfacetoface，forthesecondtime，inthedining-roomatMablethorpeHouse。
Thechainofeventsbegantounrollitselfinhermindclearly，linkbylink。
Sheremarked，asshepursuedtheretrospect，howstrangelyChance，orFate，hadpavedthewayfortheactofpersonation，inthefirstplace。
Iftheyhadmetunderordinarycircumstances，neitherMercynorGracewouldhavetrustedeachotherwiththeconfidenceswhichhadbeenexchangedbetweenthem。Astheeventhadhappened，theyhadcometogether，underthoseextraordinarycircumstancesofcommontrialandcommonperil，inastrangecountry，whichwouldespeciallypredisposetwowomenofthesamenationtoopentheirheartstoeachother。InnootherwaycouldMercyhaveobtainedatafirstinterviewthatfatalknowledgeofGrace\'spositionandGrace\'saffairswhichhadplacedtemptationbeforeherasthenecessaryconsequencethatfollowedtheburstingoftheGermanshell。
Advancingfromthispointthroughthesucceedingseriesofeventswhichhadsonaturallyandyetsostrangelyfavoredtheperpetrationofthefraud，MercyreachedthelaterperiodwhenGracehadfollowedhertoEngland。Hereagainsheremarked，inthesecondplace，howChance，orFate，hadoncemorepavedthewayforthatsecondmeetingwhichhadconfrontedthemwithoneanotheratMablethorpeHouse。
Shehad，asshewellremembered，attendedatacertainassemblyconvenedbyacharitablesocietyinthecharacterofLadyJanet\'srepresentative，atLadyJanet\'sownrequest。ForthatreasonshehadbeenabsentfromthehousewhenGracehadenteredit。Ifherreturnhadbeendelayedbyafewminutesonly，JulianwouldhavehadtimetotakeGraceoutoftheroom，andtheterriblemeetingwhichhadstretchedMercysenselessonthefloorwouldneverhavetakenplace。Astheeventhadhappened，theperiodofherabsencehadbeenfatallyshortenedbywhatappearedatthetimetobe，thecommonestpossibleoccurrence。The，personsassembledatthesociety\'sroomshaddisagreedsoseriouslyonthebusinesswhichhadbroughtthemtogetherastorenderitnecessarytotaketheordinarycourseofadjourningtheproceedingstoafutureday。AndChance，orFate，hadsotimedthatadjournmentastobringMercybackintothedining-roomexactlyatthemomentwhenGraceRoseberryinsistedonbeingconfrontedwiththewomanwhohadtakenherplace。
Shehadneveryetseenthecircumstancesinthissinisterlight。Shewasaloneinherroom，atacrisisinherlife。Shewaswornandweakenedbyemotionswhichhadshakenhertothesoul。
Littlebylittleshefelttheenervatinginfluencesletlooseonher，inherlonelyposition，byhernewtrainofthought。Littlebylittleherheartbegantosinkunderthestealthychillofsuperstitiousdread。Vaguelyhorriblepresentimentsthrobbedinherwithherpulses，flowedthroughherwithherblood。Mysticoppressionsofhiddendisasterhoveredoverherintheatmosphereoftheroom。Thecheerfulcandle-lightturnedtraitortoherandgrewdim。Supernaturalmurmurstrembledroundthehouseinthemoaningofthewinterwind。Shewasafraidtolookbehindher。Onasuddenshefeltherowncoldhandscoveringherface，withoutknowingwhenshehadliftedthemtoit，orwhy。
Stillhelpless，underthehorrorthatheldher，shesuddenlyheardfootsteps——aman\'sfootsteps——inthecorridoroutside。Atothertimesthesoundwouldhavestartledher：nowitbrokethespell。Thefootstepssuggestedlife，companionship，humaninterposition——nomatterofwhatsort。Shemechanicallytookupherpen；shefoundherselfbeginningtorememberherlettertoJulianGray。
Atthesamemomentthefootstepsstoppedoutsideherdoor。Themanknocked。
Shestillfeltshaken。Shewashardlymistressofherselfyet。Afaintcryofalarmescapedheratthesoundoftheknock。Beforeitcouldberepeatedshehadralliedhercourage，andhadopenedthedoor。
ThemaninthecorridorwasHoraceHolmcroft。
Hisruddycomplexionhadturnedpale。Hishairofwhichhewasespeciallycarefulatothertimeswasindisorder。Thesuperficialpolishofhismannerwasgone；theundisguisedman，sullen，distrustful，irritatedtothelastdegreeofendurance，showedthrough。Helookedatherwithawatchfullysuspiciouseye；hespoketoher，withoutprefaceorapology，inacoldlyangryvoice。
\"Areyouaware，\"heasked，\"ofwhatisgoingondownstairs？\"
\"Ihavenotleftmyroom，\"sheanswered。\"IknowthatLadyJanethasdeferredtheexplanationwhichIhadpromisedtogiveher，andIknownomore。\"
\"HasnobodytoldyouwhatLadyJanetdidafteryouleftus？Hasnobodytoldyouthatshepolitelyplacedherownboudoiratthedisposaloftheverywomanwhomshehadorderedhalfanhourbeforetoleavethehouse？DoyoureallynotknowthatMr。JulianGrayhashimselfconductedthissuddenly-honoredguesttoherplaceofretirement？andthatIamleftaloneinthemidstofthesechanges，contradictions，andmysteries——theonlypersonwhoiskeptoutinthedark？\"
\"Itissurelyneedlesstoaskmethesequestions，\"saidMercy，gently。\"Whocouldpossiblyhavetoldmewhatwasgoingonbelowstairsbeforeyouknockedatmydoor？\"
Helookedatherwithanironicalaffectationofsurprise。
\"Youarestrangelyforgetfulto-day，\"hesaid。\"SurelyyourfriendMr。JulianGraymighthavetoldyou？Iamastonishedtohearthathehasnothadhisprivateinterviewyet。\"
\"Idon\'tunderstandyou，Horace。\"
\"Idon\'twantyoutounderstandme，\"heretorted，irritably。\"TheproperpersontounderstandmeisJulianGray。Ilooktohimtoaccounttomefortheconfidentialrelationswhichseemtohavebeenestablishedbetweenyoubehindmyback。Hehasavoidedmethusfar，butIshallfindmywaytohimyet。\"
Hismannerthreatenedmorethanhiswordsexpressed。InMercy\'snervousconditionatthemoment，itsuggestedtoherthathemightattempttofastenaquarrelonJulianGray。
\"Youareentirelymistaken，\"shesaid，warmly。\"Youareungratefullydoubtingyourbestandtruestfriend。Isaynothingofmyself。YouwillsoondiscoverwhyIpatientlysubmittosuspicionswhichotherwomenwouldresentasaninsult。\"
\"Letmediscoveritatonce。Now！Withoutwastingamomentmore！\"
Therehadhithertobeensomelittledistancebetweenthem。Mercyhadlistened，waitingonthethresholdofherdoor；Horacehadspoken，standingagainsttheoppositewallofthecorridor。Whenhesaidhislastwordshesuddenlysteppedforward，andwithsomethingimperativeinthegesturelaidhishandonherarm。Thestronggraspofitalmosthurther。Shestruggledtoreleaseherself。
\"Letmego！\"shesaid。\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
Hedroppedherarmassuddenlyashehadtakenit。
\"YoushallknowwhatImean，\"hereplied。\"Awomanwhohasgrosslyoutragedandinsultedyou——whoseonlyexcuseisthatsheismad——isdetainedinthehouseatyourdesire，Imightalmostsayatyourcommand，whenthepoliceofficeriswaitingtotakeheraway。Ihavearighttoknowwhatthismeans。Iamengagedtomarryyou。Ifyouwon\'ttrustotherpeople，youareboundtoexplainyourselftoMe。IrefusetowaitforLadyJanet\'sconvenience。Iinsistifyouforcemetosayso——Iinsistonknowingtherealnatureofyourconnectionwiththisaffair。Youhaveobligedmetofollowyouhere；itismyonlyopportunityofspeakingtoyou。Youavoidme；youshutyourselfupfrommeinyourownroom。Iamnotyourhusbandyet——Ihavenorighttofollowyouin。Butthereareotherroomsopentous。Thelibraryisatourdisposal，andIwilltakecarethatwearenotinterrupted。Iamnowgoingthere，andIhavealastquestiontoask。Youaretobemywifeinaweek\'stime：willyoutakemeintoyourconfidenceornot？\"
Tohesitatewas，inthiscase，literallytobelost。Mercy\'ssenseofjusticetoldherthatHoracehadclaimednomorethanhisdue。Sheansweredinstantly：
\"Iwillfollowyoutothelibrary，Horace，infiveminutes。\"
Herpromptandfrankcompliancewithhiswishessurprisedandtouchedhim。Hetookherhand。
Shehadenduredallthathisangrysenseofinjurycouldsay。Hisgratitudewoundedhertothequick。Thebitterestmomentshehadfeltyetwasthemomentinwhichheraisedherhandtohislips，andmurmuredtenderly，\"MyowntrueGrace！\"Shecouldonlysigntohimtoleaveher，andhurrybackintoherownroom。
Herfirstfeeling，whenshefoundherselfaloneagain，waswonder——wonderthatitshouldneverhaveoccurredtoher，untilhehadhimselfsuggestedit，thatherbetrothedhusbandhadtheforemostrighttoherconfession。HerhorroratowningtoeitherofthemthatshehadcheatedthemoutoftheirlovehadhithertoplacedHoraceandLadyJanetonthesamelevel。Shenowsawforthefirsttimethattherewasnocomparisonbetweentheclaimswhichtheyrespectivelyhadonher。SheownedanallegiancetoHoracetowhichLadyJanetcouldassertnoright。Costherwhatitmighttoavowthetruthtohimwithherownlips，thecruelsacrificemustbemade。
Withoutamoment\'shesitationsheputawayherwritingmaterials。ItamazedherthatsheshouldeverhavethoughtofusingJulianGrayasaninterpreterbetweenthemantowhomshewasbetrothedandherself。Julian\'ssympathyshethoughtmusthavemadeastrongimpressiononherindeedtoblindhertoadutywhichwasbeyondallcompromise，whichadmittedofnodispute！
ShehadaskedforfiveminutesofdelaybeforeshefollowedHorace。Itwastoolongatime。
Heronechanceoffindingcouragetocrushhimwiththedreadfulrevelationofwhoshereallywas，ofwhatshehadreallydone，wastoplungeheadlongintothedisclosurewithoutgivingherselftimetothink。Theshameofitwouldoverpowerherifshegaveherselftimetothink。
Sheturnedtothedoortofollowhimatonce。
Evenatthatterriblemomentthemostineradicableofallawoman\'sinstincts——theinstinctofpersonalself-respect——broughthertoapause。Shehadpassedthroughmorethanoneterribletrialsinceshehaddressedtogodownstairs。Rememberingthis，shestoppedmechanically，retracedhersteps，andlookedatherselfintheglass。
Therewasnomotiveofvanityinwhatshenowdid。Theactionwasasunconsciousasifshehadbuttonedanunfastenedglove，orshakenoutacrumpleddress。Notthefaintestideacrossedhermindoflookingtoseeifherbeautymightstillpleadforher，andoftryingtosetitoffatitsbest。
Amomentarysmile，themostweary，themosthopeless，thateversaddenedawoman\'sface，appearedinthereflectionwhichhermirrorgaveherback。\"Haggard，ghastly，oldbeforemytime！\"shesaidtoherself。\"Well！betterso。Hewillfeelitless——hewillnotregretme。\"
Withthatthoughtshewentdownstairstomeethiminthelibrary。
[NextChapter]
[TableofContents]TheNewMagdalen，Chapter22CHAPTERXXII
THEMANINTHEDINING-ROOM。
INthegreatemergenciesoflifewefeel，orweact，asourdispositionsinclineus。Butweneverthink。Mercy\'smindwasablankasshedescendedthestairs。Onherwaydownshewasconsciousofnothingbuttheoneheadlongimpulsetogettothelibraryintheshortestpossiblespaceoftime。Arrivedatthedoor，theimpulsecapriciouslylefther。Shestoppedonthemat，wonderingwhyshehadhurriedherself，withtimetospare。Herheartsank；thefeverofherexcitementchangedsuddenlytoachillasshefacedthecloseddoor，andaskedherselfthequestion，DareIgoin？
Herownhandansweredher。Sheliftedittoturnthehandleofthelock。Itdroppedagainhelplesslyatherside。
Thesenseofherownirresolutionwrungfromheralowexclamationofdespair。Faintasitwas，ithadapparentlynotpassedunheard。Thedoorwasopenedfromwithin——andHoracestoodbeforeher。
Hedrewasidetoletherpassintotheroom。Butheneverfollowedherin。Hestoodinthedoorway，andspoketoher，keepingthedooropenwithhishand。
\"Doyoumindwaitinghereforme？\"heasked。
Shelookedathim，invacantsurprise，doubtingwhethershehadheardhimaright。
\"Itwillnotbeforlong，\"hewenton。\"Iamfartooanxioustohearwhatyouhavetotellmetosubmittoanyneedlessdelays。Thetruthis，IhavehadamessagefromLadyJanet。\"
FromLadyJanet！WhatcouldLadyJanetwantwithhim，atatimewhenshewasbentoncomposingherselfintheretirementofherownroom？
\"Ioughttohavesaidtwomessages，\"Horaceproceeded。\"Thefirstwasgiventomeonmywaydownstairs。LadyJanetwishedtoseemeimmediately。Isentanexcuse。Asecondmessagefollowed。LadyJanetwouldacceptnoexcuse。IfIrefusedtogotoherIshouldbemerelyobliginghertocometome。Itisimpossibletoriskbeinginterruptedinthatway；myonlyalternativeistogetthethingoverassoonaspossible。Doyoumindwaiting？\"
\"Certainlynot。HaveyouanyideaofwhatLadyJanetwantswithyou？\"
\"No。Whateveritis，sheshallnotkeepmelongawayfromyou。Youwillbequitealonehere；Ihavewarnedtheservantsnottoshowanyonein。\"Withthosewordshelefther。
Mercy\'sfirstsensationwasasensationofrelief——soonlostinafeelingofshameattheweaknesswhichcouldwelcomeanytemporaryreliefinsuchapositionashers。Theemotionthusrousedmerged，initsturn，intoasenseofimpatientregret。\"ButforLadyJanet\'smessage，\"shethoughttoherself，\"Imighthaveknownmyfatebythistime！\"
Theslowminutesfollowedeachotherdrearily。Shepacedtoandfrointhelibrary，fasterandfaster，undertheintolerableirritation，themaddeninguncertainty，ofherownsuspense。Erelong，eventhespaciousroomseemedtobetoosmallforher。Thesobermonotonyofthelongbook-linedshelvesoppressedandoffendedher。Shethrewopenthedoorwhichledintothedining-room，anddashedin，eagerforachangeofobjects，athirstformorespaceandmoreair。
Atthefirststepshecheckedherself；rootedtothespot，underasuddenrevulsionoffeelingwhichquietedherinaninstant。
Theroomwasonlyilluminatedbythewaningfire-light。Amanwasobscurelyvisible，seatedonthesofa，withhiselbowsonhiskneesandhisheadrestingonhishands。Helookedupastheopendoorletinthelightfromthelibrarylamps。ThemellowglowreachedhisfaceandrevealedJulianGray。
Mercywasstandingwithherbacktothelight；herfacebeingnecessarilyhiddenindeepshadow。Herecognizedherbyherfigure，andbytheattitudeintowhichitunconsciouslyfell。Thatunsoughtgrace，thatlithelongbeautyofline，belongedtobutonewomaninthehouse。Herose，andapproachedher。
\"Ihavebeenwishingtoseeyou，\"hesaid，\"andhopingthataccidentmightbringaboutsomesuchmeetingasthis。\"
Heofferedherachair。Mercyhesitatedbeforeshetookherseat。ThiswastheirfirstmeetingalonesinceLadyJanethadinterruptedheratthemomentwhenshewasabouttoconfidetoJulianthemelancholystoryofthepast。Washeanxioustoseizetheopportunityofreturningtoherconfession？Thetermsinwhichhehadaddressedherseemedtoimplyit。Sheputthequestiontohiminplainwords\"Ifeelthedeepestinterestinhearingallthatyouhavestilltoconfidetome，\"heanswered。\"ButanxiousasImaybe，Iwillnothurryyou。Iwillwait，ifyouwishit。\"
\"IamafraidImustownthatIdowishit，\"Mercyrejoined。\"Notonmyaccount——butbecausemytimeisatthedisposalofHoraceHolmcroft。Iexpecttoseehiminafewminutes。\"
\"Couldyougivemethosefewminutes？\"Julianasked。\"IhavesomethingonmysidetosaytoyouwhichIthinkyououghttoknowbeforeyouseeanyone——Horacehimselfincluded。\"
Hespokewithacertaindepressionoftonewhichwasnotassociatedwithherpreviousexperienceofhim。Hisfacelookedprematurelyoldandcarewornintheredlightofthefire。Somethinghadplainlyhappenedtosaddenandtodisappointhimsincetheyhadlastmet。
\"IwillinglyofferyouallthetimethatIhaveatmyowncommand，\"Mercyreplied。\"DoeswhatyouhavetotellmerelatetoLadyJanet？\"
Hegavehernodirectreply。\"WhatIhavetotellyouofLadyJanet，\"hesaid，gravely，\"issoontold。Sofarassheisconcernedyouhavenothingmoretodread。LadyJanetknowsall。\"
EventheheavyweightofoppressioncausedbytheimpendinginterviewwithHoracefailedtoholditsplaceinMercy\'smindwhenJulianansweredherinthosewords。
\"Comeintothelightedroom，\"shesaid，faintly。\"Itistooterribletohearyousaythatinthedark。\"
Julianfollowedherintothelibrary。Herlimbstrembledunderher。Shedroppedintoachair，andshrankunderhisgreatbrighteyes，ashestoodbyhersidelookingsadlydownonher。
\"LadyJanetknowsall！\"sherepeated，withherheadonherbreast，andthetearsfallingslowlyoverhercheeks。\"Haveyoutoldher？\"
\"IhavesaidnothingtoLadyJanetortoanyone。Yourconfidenceisasacredconfidencetome，untilyouhavespokenfirst。\"
\"HasLadyJanetsaidanythingtoyou？\"
\"Notaword。Shehaslookedatyouwiththevigilanteyesoflove；shehaslistenedtoyouwiththequickhearingoflove——andshehasfoundherownwaytothetruth。Shewillnotspeakofittome——shewillnotspeakofittoanylivingcreature。Ionlyknownowhowdearlyshelovedyou。Inspiteofherselfsheclingstoyoustill。Herlife，poorsoul，hasbeenabarrenone；unworthy，miserablyunworthy，ofsuchanatureashers。Hermarriagewaslovelessandchildless。Shehashadadmirers，butnever，inthehighersenseoftheword，afriend。Allthebestyearsofherlifehavebeenwastedintheunsatisfiedlongingforsomethingtolove。AttheendofherlifeYouhavefilledthevoid。Herhearthasfounditsyouthagain，throughYou。Atherage——atanyage——issuchatieasthistoberudelybrokenatthemerebiddingofcircumstances？No！Shewillsufferanything，riskanything，forgiveanything，ratherthanown，eventoherself，thatshehasbeendeceivedinyou。Thereismorethanherhappinessatstake；thereispride，anoblepride，insuchloveashers，whichwillignoretheplainestdiscoveryanddenythemostunanswerabletruth。Iamfirmlyconvinced——frommyownknowledgeofhercharacter，andfromwhatIhaveobservedinherto-day——thatshewillfindsomeexcuseforrefusingtohearyourconfession。Andmorethanthat，Ibelieveiftheexertionofherinfluencecandoitthatshewillleavenomeansuntriedofpreventingyoufromacknowledgingyourtruepositionheretoanylivingcreature。Itakeaseriousresponsibilityonmyselfintellingyouthis——andIdon\'tshrinkfromit。Yououghttoknow，andyoushallknow，whattrialsandwhattemptationsmayyetliebeforeyou。\"
Hepaused——leavingMercytimetocomposeherself，ifshewishedtospeaktohim。
Shefeltthattherewasanecessityforherspeakingtohim。HewasplainlynotawarethatLadyJanethadalreadywrittentohertodeferherpromisedexplanation。Thiscircumstancewasinitselfaconfirmationoftheopinionwhichhehadexpressed。Sheoughttomentionittohim；shetriedtomentionittohim。Butshewasnotequaltotheeffort。ThefewsimplewordsinwhichhehadtouchedonthetiethatboundLadyJanettoherhadwrungherheart。Hertearschokedher。Shecouldonlysigntohimtogoon。
\"Youmaywonderatmyspeakingsopositively，\"hecontinued，\"withnothingbetterthanmyownconvictiontojustifyme。IcanonlysaythatIhavewatchedLadyJanettoocloselytofeelanydoubt。Isawthemomentinwhichthetruthflashedonher，asplainlyasInowseeyou。Itdidnotdiscloseitselfgradually——itburstonher，asitburstonme。Shesuspectednothing——shewasfranklyindignantatyoursuddeninterferenceandyourstrangelanguage——untilthetimecameinwhichyoupledgedyourselftoproduceMercyMerrick。Thenandthenonlythetruthbrokeonhermind，treblyrevealedtoherinyourwords，yourvoice，andyourlook。ThenandthenonlyIsawamarkedchangecomeoverher，andremaininherwhilesheremainedintheroom。Idreadtothinkofwhatshemaydointhefirstrecklessdespairofthediscoverythatshehasmade。Idistrust——thoughGodknowsIamnotnaturallyasuspiciousman——themostapparentlytriflingeventsthatarenowtakingplaceaboutus。Youhaveheldnoblytoyourresolutiontoownthetruth。Prepareyourself，beforetheeveningisover，tobetriedandtemptedagain。\"
Mercyliftedherhead。Feartooktheplaceofgriefinhereyes，astheyrestedinstartledinquiryonJulian\'sface。
\"Howisitpossiblethattemptationcancometomenow？\"sheasked。
\"Iwillleaveittoeventstoanswerthatquestion，\"hesaid。\"Youwillnothavelongtowait。InthemeantimeIhaveputyouonyourguard。\"Hestooped，andspokehisnextwordsearnestly，closeatherear。\"Holdfastbytheadmirablecouragewhichyouhaveshownthusfar，\"hewenton。\"Sufferanythingratherthansufferthedegradationofyourself。BethewomanwhomIoncespokeof——thewomanIstillhaveinmymind——whocannoblyrevealthenoblenaturethatisinher。Andneverforgetthis——myfaithinyouisasfirmasever！\"
Shelookedathimproudlyandgratefully。
\"Iampledgedtojustifyyourfaithinme，\"shesaid。\"Ihaveputitoutofmyownpowertoyield。HoracehasmypromisethatIwillexplaineverythingtohim，inthisroom。\"
Julianstarted。
\"HasHoracehimselfaskeditofyou？\"heinquired。\"He，atleast，hasnosuspicionofthetruth。\"
\"Horacehasappealedtomydutytohimashisbetrothedwife，\"sheanswered。\"Hehasthefirstclaimtomyconfidence——heresentsmysilence，andhehasarighttoresentit。Terribleasitwillbetoopenhiseyestothetruth，Imustdoitifheasksme。\"
ShewaslookingatJulianwhileshespoke。Theoldlongingtoassociatewiththehardtrialoftheconfessiontheonemanwhohadfeltforher，andbelievedinher，revivedunderanotherform。Ifshecouldonlyknow，whileshewassayingthefatalwordstoHorace，thatJulianwaslisteningtoo，shewouldbeencouragedtomeettheworstthatcouldhappen！Astheideacrossedhermind，sheobservedthatJulianwaslookingtowardthedoorthroughwhichtheyhadlatelypassed。Inaninstantshesawthemeanstoherend。Hardlywaitingtohearthefewkindexpressionsofsympathyandapprovalwhichheaddressedtoher，shehintedtimidlyattheproposalwhichshehadnowtomaketohim。
\"Areyougoingbackintothenextroom？\"sheasked。
\"Notifyouobjecttoit，\"hereplied。
\"Idon\'tobject。Iwantyoutobethere。\"
\"AfterHoracehasjoinedyou？\"
\"Yes。AfterHoracehasjoinedme。\"
\"Doyouwishtoseemewhenitisover？\"
Shesummonedherresolution，andtoldhimfranklywhatshehadinhermind。
\"IwantyoutobenearmewhileIamspeakingtoHorace，\"shesaid。\"ItwillgivemecourageifIcanfeelthatIamspeakingtoyouaswellastohim。Icancountonyoursympathy——andsympathyissoprecioustomenow！AmIaskingtoomuch，ifIaskyoutoleavethedoorunclosedwhenyougobacktothedining-room？Thinkofthedreadfultrial——tohimaswellastome！Iamonlyawoman；IamafraidImaysinkunderit，ifIhavenofriendnearme。AndIhavenofriendbutyou。\"
Inthosesimplewordsshetriedherpowersofpersuasiononhimforthefirsttime。
BetweenperplexityanddistressJulianwas，forthemoment，atalosshowtoanswerher。TheloveforMercywhichhedarednotacknowledgewasasvitalafeelinginhimasthefaithinherwhichhehadbeenfreetoavow。Torefuseanythingthatsheaskedofhiminhersoreneed——and，moreeventhanthat，torefusetoheartheconfessionwhichithadbeenherfirstimpulsetomaketohim——thesewerecruelsacrificestohissenseofwhatwasduetoHoraceandofwhatwasduetohimself。Butshrinkashemight，evenfromtheappearanceofdesertingher，itwasimpossibleforhimexceptunderareservewhichwasalmostequivalenttoadenialtograntherrequest。
\"AllthatIcandoIwilldo，\"hesaid。\"Thedoorsshallbeleftunclosed，andIwillremaininthenextroom，onthiscondition，thatHoraceknowsofitaswellasyou。IshouldbeunworthyofyourconfidenceinmeifIconsentedtobealisteneronanyotherterms。Youunderstandthat，Iamsure，aswellasIdo。\"
Shehadneverthoughtofherproposaltohiminthislight。Woman-like，shehadthoughtofnothingbutthecomfortofhavinghimnearher。Sheunderstoodhimnow。Afaintflushofshameroseonherpalecheeksasshethankedhim。Hedelicatelyrelievedherfromherembarrassmentbyputtingaquestionwhichnaturallyoccurredunderthecircumstances。
\"WhereisHoraceallthistime？\"heasked。\"Whyishenothere？\"
\"Hehasbeencalledaway，\"sheanswered，\"byamessagefromLadyJanet。\"
ThereplymorethanastonishedJulian；itseemedalmosttoalarmhim。HereturnedtoMercy\'schair；hesaidtoher，eagerly，\"Areyousure？\"
\"HoracehimselftoldmethatLadyJanethadinsistedonseeinghim。\"
\"When？\"
\"Notlongago。Heaskedmetowaitforhimherewhilehewentupstairs。\"