Having given her leave to withdraw, Mercy turned to Julian.
"Why were they quarreling about you ?" she asked.
Julian pointed to the unopened letter in her hand.
"The answer to your question may be there," he said.

"Read the letter while you have the chance.

And if I can advise you, say so at once." With a strange reluctance she opened the envelope.

With a sinking heart she read the lines in which Lady Janet, as "mother and friend," commanded her absolutely to suppress the confession which she had pledged herself to make in the sacred interests of justice and truth.
A low cry of despair escaped her, as the cruel complication in her position revealed itself in all its unmerited hardship.

"Oh, Lady Janet, Lady Janet!" she thought, "there was but one trial more left in my hard lot--and it comes to me from _you!_" She handed the letter to Julian.