The Search in the Grounds

GRACE ROSEBERRY, still listening in the conservatory, saw the door open,
and recognized the mistress of the house. She softly drew back, and
placed herself in safer hiding, beyond the range of view from the
dining-room.

Lady Janet advanced no further than the threshold. She stood there and
looked at her nephew and her adopted daughter in stern silence.

Mercy dropped into the chair at her side. Julian kept his place by her.
His mind was still stunned by the discovery that had burst on it; his
eyes still rested on her in mute terror of inquiry. He was as completely
absorbed in the one act of looking at her as if they had been still
alone together in the room.

Lady Janet was the first of the three who spoke. She addressed herself
to her nephew.

"You were right, Mr. Julian Gray," she said, with her bitterest emphasis
of tone and manner. "You ought to have found nobody in this room on
your return but _me_. I detain you no longer. You are free to leave my
house."

Julian looked round at his aunt. She was pointing to the door. In the
excited state of his sensibilities at that moment the action stung him
to the quick. He answered without his customary consideration for his
aunt's age and his aunt's position toward him.

"You apparently forget, Lady Janet, that you are not speaking to one of
your footmen," he said. "There are serious reasons (of which you know
nothing) for my remaining in your house a little longer. You may rely
upon my trespassing on your hospitality as short a time as possible."