"Oh, Lady Janet, Lady Janet!" she thought, "there was
but one trial more left in my hard lot--and it comes to me from
_you!_"
She handed the letter to Julian. He took it from her in silence.
His pale complexion turned paler still as he read it. His eyes
rested on her compassionately as he handed it back.
"To my mind," he said, "Lady Janet herself sets all further doubt
at rest. Her letter tells me what she wanted when she sent for
Horace, and why my name was mentioned between them."
"Tell me!" cried Mercy, eagerly.
He did not immediately answer her. He sat down again in the chair
by her side, and pointed to the letter.
"Has Lady Janet shaken your resolution?" he asked.
"She has strengthened my resolution," Mercy answered. "She has
added a new bitterness to my remorse."
She did not mean it harshly, but the reply sounded harshly in
Julian's ears. It stirred the generous impulses, which were the
strongest impulses in his nature. He who had once pleaded with
Mercy for compassionate consideration for herself now pleaded
with her for compassionate consideration for Lady Janet. With
persuasive gentleness he drew a little nearer, and laid his hand
on her arm.
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