Lady Janet claimed Julian's attention, and left Horace free to return to
Mercy. "Your room is ready for you," she said. "You will stay here, of
course?" Julian accepted the invitation---still with the air of a man
whose mind was preoccupied. Instead of looking at his aunt when he made
his reply, he looked round at Mercy with a troubled curiosity in his
face, very strange to see. Lady Janet tapped him impatiently on the
shoulder. "I expect people to look at me when people speak to me," she
said. "What are you staring at my adopted daughter for?"
"Your adopted daughter?" Julian repeated--looking at his aunt this time,
and looking very earnestly.
"Certainly! As Colonel Roseberry's daughter, she is connected with me by
marriage already. Did you think I had picked up a foundling?"
Julian's face cleared; he looked relieved. "I had forgotten the
Colonel," he answered. "Of course the young lady is related to us, as
you say."
"Charmed, I am sure, to have satisfied you that Grace is not an
impostor," said Lady Janet, with satirical humility. She took Julian's
arm and drew him out of hearing of Horace and Mercy. "About that letter
of yours?" she proceeded. "There is one line in it that rouses my
curiosity. Who is the mysterious 'lady' whom you wish to present to me?"
Julian started, and changed color.
"I can't tell you now," he said, in a whisper.
"Why not?"
To Lady Janet's unutterable astonishment, instead of replying, Julian
looked round at her adopted daughter once more.
"What has _she_ got to do with it?" asked the old lady, out of all
patience with him.
"It is impossible for me to tell you," he answered, gravely, "while Miss
Roseberry is in the room."