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