The New Magdalen

THIRD EXTRACT.

"I hardly know whether I have done right or wrong. I mentioned yesterday

to Lady Janet the cold reception of me on my return to London, and the

painful sense of it felt by my wife.

"My aunt looks at the matter from her own peculiar point of view,

and makes light of it accordingly. 'You never did, and never will,

understand Society, Julian,' said her ladyship. 'These poor stupid

people simply don't know what to do. They are waiting to be told by a

person of distinction whether they are, or are not, to recognize your

marriage. In plain English, they are waiting to be led by Me. Consider

it done. I will lead them.' "I thought my aunt was joking. The event of to-day has shown me that she

is terribly in earnest. Lady Janet has issued invitations for one of her

grand balls at Mablethorpe House; and sh e has caused the report to be

circulated everywhere that the object of the festival is 'to celebrate

the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Julian Gray!' "I at first refused to be present. To my amazement, however, Mercy sides

with my aunt. She reminds me of all that we both owe to Lady Janet; and

she has persuaded me to alter my mind. We are to go to the ball--at my

wife express request!

"The meaning of this, as I interpret it, is that my poor love is still

pursued in secret by the dread that my marriage has injured me in the

general estimation. She will suffer anything, risk anything, believe

anything, to be freed from that one haunting doubt. Lady Janet

predicts a social triumph; and my wife's despair--not my wife's

conviction--accepts the prophecy. As for me, I am prepared for the

result. It will end in our going to the New World, and trying Society in

its infancy, among the forests and the plains. I shall quietly prepare

for our departure, and own what I have done at the right time--that is

to say, when the ball is over."

FOURTH EXTRACT.

"I have met with the man for my purpose--an old college friend of mine,

now partner in a firm of ship-owners, largely concerned in emigration.

"One of their vessels sails for America, from the port of London, in

a fortnight, touching at Plymouth. By a fortunate coincidence, Lady

Janet's ball takes place in a fortnight. I see my way.

"Helped by the kindness of my friend, I have arranged to have a cabin

kept in reserve, on payment of a small deposit. If the ball ends (as I

believe it will) in new mortifications for Mercy--do what they may, I

defy them to mortify _me_--I have only to say the word by telegraph, and

we shall catch the ship at Plymouth.