"Why
did you not tell me you had taken these precautions before?"
Julian answered frankly and sadly.
"Because I hoped, aunt, that there would be no necessity for
proceeding to extremities. You now force me to acknowledge that
the lawyer and the doctor (both of whom I have seen this morning)
think, as you do, that she is not to be trusted. It was at their
suggestion entirely that I went to the magistrate. They put it to
me whether the result of my inquiries abroad--unsatisfactory as
it may have been in other respects--did not strengthen the
conclusion that the poor woman's mind is deranged. I felt
compelled in common honesty to admit that it was so. Having owned
this, I was bound to take such precautions as the lawyer and the
doctor thought necessary. I have done my duty--sorely against my
own will. It is weak of me, I dare say; but I can _not_ bear the
thought of treating this afflicted creature harshly. Her delusion
is so hopeless! her situation is such a pitiable one!"
His voice faltered. He turned away abruptly and took up his hat.
Lady Janet followed him, and spoke to him at the door. Horace
smiled satirically, and went to warm himself at the fire.
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