"What will _you_ do, Grace ?" "I will stay here, if you please." "I will keep her company," added Horace.
Lady Janet hesitated.

She had promised to see her nephew in the dining-room on his return to the house--and to see him alone.

Would there be time enough to get rid of the visitors and to establish her adopted daughter in the empty drawing-room before Julian appeared?
It was ten minutes' walk to the lodge, and he had to make the gate-keeper understand his instructions.

Lady Janet decided that she had time enough at her disposal.

She nodded kindly to Mercy, and left her alone with her lover.
Horace seated himself in the vacant place on the sofa.