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LADY JANET'S LETTER.
THE narrative leaves Lady Janet and Horace Holmcroft together, and returns to Julian and Mercy in the library.
An interval passed--a long interval, measured by the impatient reckoning of suspense--after the cab which had taken Grace Roseberry away had left the house.

The minutes followed each other; and still the warning sound of Horace's footsteps was not heard on the marble pavement of the hall.

By common (though unexpressed) consent, Julian and Mercy avoided touching upon the one subject on which they were now both interested alike.

With their thoughts fixed secretly in vain speculation on the nature of the interview which was then taking place in Lady Janet's room, they tried to speak on topics indifferent to both of them--tried, and failed, and tried again.