"In that case," retorted Lady Janet, "remain here because I wish
it."
"Certainly--if you wish it. Only remember," he added, more
obstinately than ever," that I differ entirely from Julian's
view. In my opinion the woman has no claim on us."
A passing movement of irritation escaped Julian for the fir st
time. "Don't be hard, Horace," he said, sharply. "All women have
a claim on us."
They had unconsciously gathered together, in the heat of the
little debate, turning their backs on the library door. At the
last words of the reproof administered by Julian to Horace, their
attention was recalled to passing events by the slight noise
produced by the opening and closing of the door. With one accord
the three turned and looked in the direction from which the
sounds had come.
CHAPTER XI.
THE DEAD ALIVE.
JUST inside the door there appeared the figure of a small woman
dressed in plain and poor black garments. She silently lifted her
black net veil and disclosed a dull, pale, worn, weary face. The
forehead was low and broad; the eyes were unusually far apart;
the lower features were remarkably small and delicate. In health
(as the consul at Mannheim had remarked) this woman must have
possessed, if not absolute beauty, at least rare attractions
peculiarly her own.
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