"There is some secret understanding between them," thought the
old lady, "and she's to blame; the women always are!"
Mercy still waited to be spoken to; pale and quiet, silent and
submissive. Lady Janet--in a highly uncertain state of
temper--was obliged to begin.
"My dear!" she called out, sharply.
"Yes, Lady Janet."
"How much longer are you going to sit there with your mouth shut
up and your eyes on the carpet? Have you no opinion to offer on
this alarming state of things? You heard what the man said to
Julian--I saw you listening. Are you horribly frightened?"
"No, Lady Janet."
"Not even nervous?"
"No, Lady Janet."
"Ha! I should hardly have given you credit for so much courage
after my experience of you a week ago. I congratulate you on your
recovery."
"Thank you, Lady Janet."
"I am not so composed as you are. We were an excitable set in
_my_ youth--and I haven't got the better of it yet. I feel
nervous. Do you hear? I feel nervous."
"I am sorry, Lady Janet."
"You are very good. Do you know what I am going to do?"
"No, Lady Janet."
"I am going to summon the household. When I say the household, I
mean the men; the women are no use.
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