Lady
Janet decided that she had time enough at her disposal. She
nodded kindly to Mercy, and left her alone with her lover.
Horace seated himself in the vacant place on the sofa. So far as
it was in his nature to devote himself to any one he was devoted
to Mercy. "I am grieved to see how you have suffered," he said,
with honest distress in his face as he looked at her. "Try to
forget what has happened."
"I am trying to forget. Do _you_ think of it much?"
"My darling, it is too contemptible to be thought of."
She placed her work-basket on her lap. Her wasted fingers began
absently sorting the wools inside.
"Have you seen Mr. Julian Gray?" she asked, suddenly.
"Yes."
"What does _he_ say about it?" She looked at Horace for the first
time, steadily scrutinizing his face. Horace took refuge in
prevarication.
"I really haven't asked for Julian's opinion," he said.
She looked down again, with a sigh, at the basket on her
lap--considered a little--and tried him once more.
"Why has Mr. Julian Gray not been here for a whole week?" she
went on. "The servants say he has been abroad. Is that true?"
It was useless to deny it.
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