FOR a moment Horace stood thunderstruck, looking in blankastonishment at Lady Janet. His first words, as soon as he hadrecovered himself, were addressed to Julian. "Is this a joke?" heasked, sternly. "If it is, I for one don't see the humor of it."

Julian pointed to the closely written pages of the consul'sletter. "A man writes in earnest," he said, "when he writes atsuch length as this. The woman seriously gave the name of GraceRoseberry, and when she left Mannheim she traveled to England forthe express purpose of presenting herself to Lady Janet Roy." Heturned to his aunt. "You saw me start," he went on, "when youfirst mentioned Miss Roseberry's name in my hearing. Now you knowwhy." He addressed himself once more to Horace. "You heard me saythat you, as Miss Roseberry's future husband, had an interest inbeing present at my interview with Lady Janet. Now _you_ knowwhy."

"The woman is plainly mad," said Lady Janet. "But it is certainlya startling form of madness when one first hears of it. Of coursewe must keep the matter, for the present at least, a secret fromGrace."

"There can be no doubt," Horace agreed, "that Grace must be keptin the dark, in her present state of health. The servants hadbetter be warned beforehand, in case of this adventuress ormadwoman, whichever she may be, attempting to make her way intothe house."

"It shall be done immediately," said Lady Janet. "What surprises_me_ Julian (ring the bell, if you please), is that you shoulddescribe yourself in your letter as feeling an interest in thisperson."

Julian answered--without ringing the bell.

"I am more interested than ever," he said, "now I find that MissRoseberry herself is your guest at Mablethorpe House."

'You were always perverse, Julian, as a child, in your likingsand dislikings," Lady Janet rejoined. "Why don't you ring thebell?"

"For one good reason, my dear aunt. I don't wish to hear you tellyour servants to close the door on this friendless creature."

Lady Janet cast a look at her nephew which plainly expressed thatshe thought he had taken a liberty with her.

"You don't expect me to see the woman?" she asked, in a tone ofcold surprise.

"I hope you will not refuse to see her," Julian answered,quietly. "I was out when she called. I must hear what she has tosay--and I should infinitely prefer hearing it in your presence.When I got your reply to my letter, permitting me to present herto you, I wrote to her immediately, appointing a meeting here."

Lady Janet lifted her bright black eyes in mute expostulation tothe carved Cupids and wreaths on the dining-room ceiling.

"When am I to have the honor of the lady's visit?" she inquired,with ironical resignation.

"To-day," answered her nephew, with impenetrable patience.

"At what hour?"

Julian composedly consulted his watch. "She is ten minutes afterher time," he said, and put his watch back in his pocket again.

At the same moment the servant appeared, and advanced to Julian,carrying a visiting card on his little silver tray.

"A lady to see you, sir."

Julian took the card, and, bowing, handed it to his aunt.

"Here she is, "he said, just as quietly as ever.

Lady Janet looked at the card, and tossed it indignantly back toher nephew. "Miss Roseberry!" she exclaimed. "Printed--actuallyprinted on her card! Julian, even MY patience has its limits. Irefuse to see her!"

The servant was still waiting--not like a human being who took aninterest in the proceedings, but (as became a perfectly bredfootman) like an article of furniture artfully constructed tocome and go at the word of command. Julian gave the word ofcommand, addressing the admirably constructed automaton by thename of "James."

"Where is the lady now?" he asked.

"In the breakfast-room, sir."

"Leave her there, if you please, and wait outside within hearingof the bell."

The legs of the furniture-footman acted, and took him noiselesslyout of the room. Julian turned to his aunt.

"Forgive me," he said, "for venturing to give the man his ordersin your presence. I am very anxious that you should not decidehastily. Surely we ought to hear what this lady has to say?"

Horace dissented widely from his friend's opinion. "It's aninsult to Grace," he broke out, warmly, "to hear what she has tosay!"

Lady Janet nodded her head in high approval. "I think so, too,"said her ladyship, crossing her handsome old hands resolutely onher lap.

Julian applied himself to answering Horace first.

"Pardon me," he said. "I have no intention of presuming toreflect on Miss Roseberry, or of bringing her into the matter atall.--The consul's letter," he went on, speaking to his aunt,"mentions, if you remember, that the medical authorities ofMannheim were divided in opinion on their patient's case. Some ofthem--the physician-in-chief being among the number--believe thatthe recovery of her mind has not accompanied the recovery of herbody."

"In other words," Lady Janet remarked, "a madwoman is in myhouse, and I am expected to receive her!"

"Don't let us exaggerate," said Julian, gently. "It can serve nogood interest, in this serious matter, to exaggerate anything.The consul assures us, on the authority of the doctor, that sheis perfectly gentle and harmless. If she is really the victim ofa mental delusion, the poor creature is surely an object ofcompassion, and she ought to be placed under proper care. Askyour own kind heart, my dear aunt, if it would not be downrightcruelty to turn this forlorn woman adrift in the world withoutmaking some inquiry first."

Lady Janet's inbred sense of justice admitted not overwillingly--the reasonableness as well as the humanity of the viewexpressed in those words. "There is some truth in that, Julian,"she said, shifting her position uneasily in her chair, andlooking at Horace. "Don't you think so, too?" she added.

"I can't say I do," answered Horace, in the positive tone of aman whose obstinacy is proof against every form of appeal thatcan be addressed to him.

The patience of Julian was firm enough to be a match for theobstinacy of Horace. "At any rate," he resumed, with undiminishedgood temper," we are all three equally interested in setting thismatter at rest. I put it to you, Lady Janet, if we are notfavored, at this lucky moment, with the very opportunity that wewant? Miss Roseberry is not only out of the room, but out of thehouse. If we let this chance slip, who can say what awkwardaccident may not happen in the course of the next few days?"

"Let the woman come in," cried Lady Janet, deciding headlong,with her customary impatience of all delay. "At once,Julian--before Grace can come back. Will you ring the bell thistime?"

This time Julian rang it. "May I give the man his orders?" herespectfully inquired of his aunt.

"Give him anything you like, and have done with it!" retorted theirritable old lady, getting briskly on her feet, and taking aturn in the room to compose herself.

The servant withdrew, with orders to show the visitor in.

Horace crossed the room at the same time--apparently with theintention of leaving it by the door at the opposite end.

"You are not going away?" exclaimed Lady Janet.

"I see no use in my remaining here," replied Horace, not verygraciously.

"In that case," retorted Lady Janet, "remain here because I wishit."

"Certainly--if you wish it. Only remember," he added, moreobstinately than ever," that I differ entirely from Julian'sview. In my opinion the woman has no claim on us."

A passing movement of irritation escaped Julian for the fir sttime. "Don't be hard, Horace," he said, sharply. "All women havea claim on us."

They had unconsciously gathered together, in the heat of thelittle debate, turning their backs on the library door. At thelast words of the reproof administered by Julian to Horace, theirattention was recalled to passing events by the slight noiseproduced by the opening and closing of the door. With one accordthe three turned and looked in the direction from which thesounds had come.