.

THE POLICEMAN IN PLAIN CLOTHES.
JULIAN looked round the room, and stopped at the door which he had just opened.
His eyes rested first on Mercy, next on Grace.
The disturbed faces of both the women told him but too plainly that the disaster which he had dreaded had actually happened.

They had met without any third person to interfere between them.

To what extremities the hostile interview might have led it was impossible for him to guess.
In his aunt's presence he could only wait his opportunity of speaking to Mercy, and be ready to interpose if anything was ignorantly done which might give just cause of offense to Grace.
Lady Janet's course of action on entering the dining-room was in perfect harmony with Lady Janet's character.
Instantly discovering the intruder, she looked sharply at Mercy.

"What did I tell you ?" she asked.