"But anxious as I may be, I will not hurry you.

I will wait, if you wish it." "I am afraid I must own that I do wish it," Mercy rejoined.

"Not on my account--but because my time is at the disposal of Horace Holmcroft.

I expect to see him in a few minutes." "Could you give me those few minutes ?" Julian asked.

"I have something on my side to say to you which I think you ought to know before you see any one--Horace himself included." He spoke with a certain depression of tone which was not associated with her previous experience of him.