The New Magdalen

Lady Janet's inbred sense of justice admitted not over willingly--the

reasonableness as well as the humanity of the view expressed in those

words. "There is some truth in that, Julian," she said, shifting her

position uneasily in her chair, and looking at Horace. "Don't you think

so, too?" she added.

"I can't say I do," answered Horace, in the positive tone of a man whose

obstinacy is proof against every form of appeal that can be addressed to

him.

The patience of Julian was firm enough to be a match for the obstinacy

of Horace. "At any rate," he resumed, with undiminished good temper, "we

are all three equally interested in setting this matter at rest. I put

it to you, Lady Janet, if we are not favored, at this lucky moment, with

the very opportunity that we want? Miss Roseberry is not only out of the

room, but out of the house. If we let this chance slip, who can say what

awkward accident may not happen in the course of the next few days?"

"Let the woman come in," cried Lady Janet, deciding headlong, with her

customary impatience of all delay. "At once, Julian--before Grace can

come back. Will you ring the bell this time?"

This time Julian rang it. "May I give the man his orders?" he

respectfully inquired of his aunt.

"Give him anything you like, and have done with it!" retorted the

irritable old lady, getting briskly on her feet, and taking a turn in

the room to compose herself.

The servant withdrew, with orders to show the visitor in.

Horace crossed the room at the same time--apparently with the intention

of leaving it by the door at the opposite end.

"You are not going away?" exclaimed Lady Janet.

"I see no use in my remaining here," replied Horace, not very

graciously.

"In that case," retorted Lady Janet, "remain here because I wish it."

"Certainly--if you wish it. Only remember," he added, more obstinately

than ever, "that I differ entirely from Julian's view. In my opinion the

woman has no claim on us."

A passing movement of irritation escaped Julian for the first time.

"Don't be hard, Horace," he said, sharply. "All women have a claim on

us."

They had unconsciously gathered together, in the heat of the little

debate, turning their backs on the library door. At the last words

of the reproof administered by Julian to Horace, their attention was

recalled to passing events by the slight noise produced by the opening

and closing of the door. With one accord the three turned and looked in

the direction from which the sounds had come.