As soon as Julian had taken a chair near her, Mercy was calm again.
"Are you sure of your resolution ?" he asked.
"I am certain of it," she answered, "as long as you don't leave me by myself." The talk between them dropped there.

They sat together in silence, with their eyes fixed on the door, waiting for Horace to come in.
After the lapse of a few minutes their attention was attracted by a sound outside in the grounds.

A carriage of some sort was plainly audible approaching the house.
The carriage stopped; the bell rang; the front door was opened.

Had a visitor arrived?
No voice could be heard making inquiries.

No footsteps but the servant's footsteps crossed the hall.