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