Julian turned to Mercy.
"You have allowed me to guide you so far," he said.

"Will you allow me to guide you still ?" Her eyes sank before his; her bosom rose and fell rapidly.

His influence over her maintained its sway.

She bowed her head in speechless submission.
"Tell him," Julian proceeded, in accents of entreaty, not of command--"tell him what your life has been.

Tell him how you were tried and tempted, with no friend near to speak the words which might have saved you.