The New Magdalen

"Pray don't alarm yourself," he said to his aunt, in his quietest tones.

"If she attempts to annoy you or Miss Roseberry again, I have it in my

power to stop her instantly."

"How?" asked Lady Janet.

"How, indeed!" echoed Horace. "If we give her in charge to the police,

we shall become the subject of a public scandal."

"I have managed to avoid all danger of scandal," Julian answered; the

expression of distress in his face becoming more and more marked while

he spoke. "Before I called here to-day I had a private consultation with

the magistrate of the district, and I have made certain arrangements at

the police station close by. On receipt of my card, an experienced man,

in plain clothes, will present himself at any address that I indicate,

and will take her quietly away. The magistrate will hear the charge in

his private room, and will examine the evidence which I can produce,

showing that she is not accountable for her actions. The proper medical

officer will report officially on the case, and the law will place her

under the necessary restraint."

Lady Janet and Horace looked at each other in amazement. Julian was,

in their opinion, the last man on earth to take the course--at once

sensible and severe--which Julian had actually adopted. Lady Janet

insisted on an explanation.

"Why do I hear of this now for the first time?" she asked. "Why did you

not tell me you had taken these precautions before?"

Julian answered frankly and sadly.

"Because I hoped, aunt, that there would be no necessity for proceeding

to extremities. You now force me to acknowledge that the lawyer and the

doctor (both of whom I have seen this morning) think, as you do, that

she is not to be trusted. It was at their suggestion entirely that

I went to the magistrate. They put it to me whether the result of

my inquiries abroad--unsatisfactory as it may have been in other

respects--did not strengthen the conclusion that the poor woman's mind

is deranged. I felt compelled in common honesty to admit that it was so.

Having owned this, I was bound to take such precautions as the lawyer

and the doctor thought necessary. I have done my duty--sorely against my

own will. It is weak of me, I dare say; but I can _not_ bear the

thought of treating this afflicted creature harshly. Her delusion is so

hopeless! her situation is such a pitiable one!"

His voice faltered. He turned away abruptly and took up his hat.

Lady Janet followed him, and spoke to him at the door. Horace smiled

satirically, and went to warm himself at the fire.

"Are you going away, Julian?"

"I am only going to the lodge-keeper. I want to give him a word of

warning in case of his seeing her again."