The New Magdalen
Page 119She returned slowly toward the library. Julian attempted to interfere
with another word of remonstrance. His aunt stopped him by a gesture
which said, plainly, "I insist on acting for myself." He looked next
at Mercy. Would she remain passive? Yes. She never lifted her head;
she never moved from the place in which she was standing apart from the
rest. Horace himself tried to attract her attention, and tried in vain.
Arrived at the library door, Lady Janet looked over her shoulder at the
little immovable black figure in the chair.
"Will you go?" she asked, for the last time.
Grace started up angrily from her seat, and fixed her viperish eyes on
Mercy.
"I won't be turned out of your ladyship's house in the presence of that
else. I insist on my right to the place that she has stolen from me.
It's no use scolding me," she added, turning doggedly to Julian. "As
long as that woman is here under my name I can't and won't keep away
from the house. I warn her, in your presence, that I have written to
my friends in Canada! I dare her before you all to deny that she is the
outcast and adventuress, Mercy Merrick!"
The challenge forced Mercy to take part in the proceedings in her own
defense. She had pledged herself to meet and defy Grace Roseberry on her
own ground. She attempted to speak--Horace stopped her.
"You degrade yourself if you answer her," he said. "Take my arm, and let
us leave the room."
honest woman. It's her place to leave the room--not mine!"
Mercy drew her hand out of Horace's arm. "I decline to leave the room,"
she said, quietly.
Horace still tried to persuade her to withdraw. "I can't bear to hear
you insulted," he rejoined. "The woman offends me, though I know she is
not responsible for what she says."
"Nobody's endurance will be tried much longer," said Lady Janet. She
glanced at Julian, and taking from her pocket the card which he had
given to her, opened the library door.
"Go to the police station," she said to the servant in an undertone,
"and give that card to the inspector on duty. Tell him there is not a
"Stop!" said Julian, before his aunt could close the door again.
"Stop?" repeated Lady Janet, sharply. "I have given the man his orders.
What do you mean?"
"Before you send the card I wish to say a word in private to this lady,"
replied Julian, indicating Grace. "When that is done," he continued,
approaching Mercy, and pointedly addressing himself to her, "I shall
have a request to make--I shall ask you to give me an opportunity of
speaking to you without interruption."