Exit Julian

"Take that wretch away!" he said. "Instantly! or I won't answer for what
I may do."

Those words recalled Julian to himself. He looked round the room. Lady
Janet and the housekeeper were together, in attendance on the swooning
woman. The startled servants were congregated in the library doorway.
One of them offered to run to the nearest doctor; another asked if he
should fetch the police. Julian silenced them by a gesture, and turned
to Horace. "Compose yourself," he said. "Leave me to remove her quietly
from the house." He took Grace by the hand as he spoke. She hesitated,
and tried to release herself. Julian pointed to the group at the sofa,
and to the servants looking on. "You have made an enemy of every one in
this room," he said, "and you have not a friend in London. Do you wish
to make an enemy of _me?_ Her head drooped; she made no reply; she
waited, dumbly obedient to the firmer will than her own. Julian ordered
the servants crowding together in the doorway to withdraw. He followed
them into the library, leading Grace after him by the hand. Before
closing the door he paused, and looked back into the dining-room.

"Is she recovering?" he asked, after a moment's hesitation.

Lady Janet's voice answered him. "Not yet."

"Shall I send for the nearest doctor?"

Horace interposed. He declined to let Julian associate himself, even in
that indirect manner, with Mercy's recovery.

"If the doctor is wanted," he said, "I will go for him myself."