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Collins, Wilkie, 1824-1889

"The New Magdalen"


"What do you do that for?" inquired his aunt, sharply.
"You are welcome, Lady Janet, to read the close of the letter for
yourself," Julian replied. "But before you do so I am anxious to
prepare you for a very great surprise. Compose yourself and let
me read on slowly, with your eye on me, until I uncover the last
two words which close my friend's letter."
He read the end of the letter, as he h ad proposed, in these
terms:
"'I looked the woman straight in the face, and I said to her,
"You have denied that the name marked on the clothes which you
wore when you came here was your name. If you are not Mercy
Merrick, who are you?" She answered, instantly, "My name is--"'"
Julian removed his hand from the page. Lady Janet looked at the
next two words, and started back with a loud cry of astonishment,
which brought Horace instantly to his feet.
"Tell me, one of you!" he cried. "What name did she give?"
Julian told him.
"GRACE ROSEBERRY."
CHAPTER X.
A COUNCIL OF THREE.
FOR a moment Horace stood thunderstruck, looking in blank
astonishment at Lady Janet. His first words, as soon as he had
recovered himself, were addressed to Julian.


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