The Man is Coming

Mercy suddenly turned her head aside, so as to hide her face. Lady
Janet, still touching her arm, felt it tremble. "What is the matter with
you?" she asked, in her abrupt, downright manner.

"I am only very grateful to your ladyship--that is all." The words were
spoken faintly, in broken tones. The face was still averted from Lady
Janet's view. "What have I said to provoke this?" wondered the old lady.
"Is she in the melting mood to-day? If she is, now is the time to say
a word for Horace!" Keeping that excellent object in view, Lady Janet
approached the delicate topic with all needful caution at starting.

"We have got on so well together," she resumed, "that it will not be
easy for either of us to feel reconciled to a change in our lives. At
my age, it will fall hardest on me. What shall I do, Grace, when the day
comes for parting with my adopted daughter?"

Mercy started, and showed her face again. The traces of tears were in
her eyes. "Why should I leave you?" she asked, in a tone of alarm.

"Surely you know!" exclaimed Lady Janet.

"Indeed I don't. Tell me why."

"Ask Horace to tell you."

The last allusion was too plain to be misunderstood. Mercy's head
drooped. She began to tremble again. Lady Janet looked at her in blank
amazement.

"Is there anything wrong between Horace and you?" she asked.

"No."

"You know your own heart, my dear child? You have surely not encouraged
Horace without loving him?"