She says she is Miss
Roseberry, and declares Miss Roseberry to be Mercy Merrick. There
is the doctor 's explanation. What do you think of it?"
"Very ingenious, I dare say. The doctor doesn't quite satisfy me,
however, for all that. I think--"
What Lady Janet thought was not destined to be expressed. She
suddenly checked herself, and held up her hand for the second
time.
"Another objection?" inquired Julian.
"Hold your tongue!" cried the old lady. "If you say a word more I
shall lose it again."
"Lose what, aunt?"
"What I wanted to say to you ages ago. I have got it back
again--it begins with a question. (No more of the doctor--I have
had enough of him!) Where is she--_your_ pitiable lady, _my_
crazy wretch--where is she now? Still in London?"
"Yes."
"And still at large?"
"Still with the landlady, at her lodgings."
"Very well. Now answer me this! What is to prevent her from
making another attempt to force her way (or steal her way) into
my house? How am I to protect Grace, how am I to protect myself,
if she comes here again?"
"Is that really what you wished to speak to me about?"
"That, and nothing else."
They were both too deeply interested in the subject of their
conversation to look toward the conservatory, and to notice the
appearance at that moment of a distant gentleman among the plants
and flowers, who had made his way in from the garden outside.
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