36/41 Before he could speak Mercy crossed the room and whispered to her, "Give me time to confess it in writing. I can't own it before them--with this round my neck." She pointed to the necklace. Grace cast a threatening glance at her, and suddenly looked away again in silence. "I beg your ladyship to permit her to remain until the half hour is over," she said. "My request will have explained itself by that time." Lady Janet raised no further obstacles. |