Generous, merciful friend, let me say
it _here!_"
She attempted to throw herself on her knees at his feet. He
sprung from his seat and checked her, holding her with both his
hands, raising her as he rose himself. In the words which had
just escaped her, in the startling action which had accompanied
them, the truth burst on him. The guilty woman she had spoken of
was herself!
While she was almost in his arms, while her bosom was just
touching his, before a word more had passed his lips or hers, the
library door opened.
Lady Janet Roy entered the room.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE SEARCH IN THE GROUNDS.
GRACE ROSEBERRY, still listening in the conservatory, saw the
door open, and recognized the mistress of the house. She softly
drew back, and placed herself in safer hiding, beyond the range
of view from the dining-room.
Lady Janet advanced no further than the threshold. She stood
there and looked at her nephew and her adopted daughter in stern
silence.
Mercy dropped into the chair at her side. Julian kept his place
by her. His mind was still stunned by the discovery that had
burst on it; his eyes still rested on her in mute terror of
inquiry.
Pages:
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251