Lady Janet sharply drew her dress away, and sternly repeated her last words.
"Yes?
or No ?" "Yes." She had owned it at last! To this end Lady Janet had submitted to Grace Roseberry; had offended Horace Holmcroft; had stooped, for the first time in her life, to concealments and compromises that degraded her.
After all that she had sacrificed and suffered, there Mercy knelt at her feet, self-convicted of violating her commands, trampling on her feelings, deserting her house! And who was the woman who had done this?
The same woman who had perpetrated the fraud, and who had persisted in the fraud until her benefactress had descended to become her accomplice.
Then, and then only, she had suddenly discovered that it was her sacred duty to tell the truth! In proud silence the great lady met the blow that had fallen on her.

In proud silence she turned her back on her adopted daughter and walked to the door.
Mercy made her last appeal to the kind friend whom she had offended--to the second mother whom she had loved.
"Lady Janet! Lady Janet! Don't leave me without a word.

Oh, madam, try to feel for me a little! I am returning to a life of humiliation--the shadow of my old disgrace is falling on me once more.

We shall never meet again.

Even though I have not deserved it, let my repentance plead with you! Say you forgive me!" Lady Janet turned round on the threshold of the door.
"I never forgive ingratitude," she said.