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