What if she were to ask Lady Janet Roy to let her supply Miss Roseberry's place?
She had met with Miss Roseberry under critical circumstances, and she had done for her all that one woman could do to help another.

There was in this circumstance some little claim to notice, perhaps, if Lady Janet had no other companion and reader in view.

Suppose she ventured to plead her own cause--what would the noble and merciful lady do?
She would write back, and say, "Send me references to your character, and I will see what can be done." Her character! Her references! Mercy laughed bitterly, and sat down to write in the fewest words all that was needed from her--a plain statement of the facts.
No! Not a line could she put on the paper.

That fancy of hers was not to be dismissed at will.

Her mind was perversely busy now with an imaginative picture of the beauty of Mablethorpe House and the comfort and elegance of the life that was led there.