Still the same melancholy false pretenses! still the same useless and cruel delay! Incapable of enduring the position now forced upon her, Mercy put her hand into the pocket of her apron, and drew from it Lady Janet's letter.
"Will your ladyship forgive me," she began, in faint, faltering tones, "if I venture on a painful subject?
I hardly dare acknowledge--" In spite of her resolution to speak out plainly, the memory of past love and past kindness prevailed with her; the next words died away on her lips.

She could only hold up the letter.
Lady Janet declined to see the letter.

Lady Janet suddenly became absorbed in the arrangement of her bracelets.
"I know what you daren't acknowledge, you foolish child!" she exclaimed.
"You daren't acknowledge that you are tired of this dull house.

My dear! I am entirely of your opinion--I am weary of my own magnificence; I long to be living in one snug little room, with one servant to wait on me.
I'll tell you what we will do.

We will go to Paris, in the first place.
My excellent Migliore, prince of couriers, shall be the only person in attendance.