Enter Junian Again

"I got back from the Continent last night," he began. "And I come here,
as I promised, to report myself on my return. How does your ladyship do?
How is Miss Roseberry?"

Lady Janet laid an indicative finger on the lace pelerine which
ornamented the upper part of her dress. "Here is the old lady, well,"
she answered--and pointed next to the room above them. "And there,"
she added, "is the young lady, ill. Is anything the matter with _you_,
Julian?"

"Perhaps I am a little tired after my journey. Never mind me. Is Miss
Roseberry still suffering from the shock?"

"What else should she be suffering from? I will never forgive you,
Julian, for bringing that crazy impostor into my house."

"My dear aunt, when I was the innocent means of bringing her here I had
no idea that such a person as Miss Roseberry was in existence. Nobody
laments what has happened more sincerely than I do. Have you had medical
advice?"

"I took her to the sea-side a week since by medical advice."

"Has the change of air don e her no good?"

"None whatever. If anything, the change of air has made her worse.
Sometimes she sits for hours together, as pale as death, without looking
at anything, and without uttering a word. Sometimes she brightens up,
and seems as if she was eager to say something; and then Heaven only
knows why, checks herself suddenly as if she was afraid to speak. I
could support that. But what cuts me to the heart, Julian, is, that she
does not appear to trust me and to love me as she did. She seems to be
doubtful of me; she seems to be frightened of me. If I did not know that
it was simply impossible that such a thing could be, I should really
think she suspected me of believing what that wretch said of her. In one
word (and between ourselves), I begin to fear she will never get over
the fright which caused that fainting-fit. There is serious mischief
somewhere; and, try as I may to discover it, it is mischief beyond my
finding."