But shrink as he
might, even from the appearance of deserting her, it was
impossible for him (except under a reserve which was almost
equivalent to a denial) to grant her request.
"All that I can do I will do," he said. "The doors shall be left
unclosed, and I will remain in the next room, on this condition,
that Horace knows of it as well as you. I should be unworthy of
your confidence in me if I consented to be a listener on any
other terms. You understand that, I am sure, as well as I do."
She had never thought of her proposal to him in this light.
Woman-like, she had thought of nothing but the comfort of having
him near her. She understood him now. A faint flush of shame rose
on her pale cheeks as she thanked him. He delicately relieved her
from her embarrassment by putting a question which naturally
occurred under the circumstances.
"Where is Horace all this time?" he asked. "Why is he not here?"
"He has been called away," she answered, "by a message from Lady
Janet."
The reply more than astonished Julian; it seemed almost to alarm
him. He returned to Mercy's chair; he said to her, eagerly, "Are
you sure?"
"Horace himself told me that Lady Janet had insisted on seeing
him.
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