ge to
Mercy. This time the note began fondly with a familiar form of address.

"MY DEAR CHILD--I have had time to think and compose myself a little,
since I last wrote, requesting you to defer the explanation which you
had promised me. I already understand (and appreciate) the motives
which led you to interfere as you did downstairs, and I now ask you to
entirely abandon the explanation. It will, I am sure, be painful to
you (for reasons of your own into which I have no wish to inquire) to
produce the person of whom you spoke, and as you know already, I myself
am weary of hearing of her. Besides, there is really no need now for you
to explain anything. The stranger whose visits here have caused us so
much pain and anxiety will trouble us no more. She leaves England of
her own free will, after a conversation with me which has perfectly
succeeded in composing and satisfying her. Not a word more, my dear,
to me, or to my nephew, or to any other human creature, of what has
happened in the dining-room to-day. When we next meet, let it be
understood between us that the past is henceforth and forever _buried
to oblivion_. This is not only the earnest request--it is, if necessary,
the positive command, of your mother and friend,

"JANET ROY.

"P.S.--I shall find opportunities (before you leave your room) of
speaking separately to my nephew and to Horace Holmcroft. You need dread
no embarrassment, when you next meet them. I will not ask you to answer
my note in writing. Say yes to the maid who will bring it to you, and I
shall know we understand each other."

After sealing the envelope which inclosed these lines, Lady Janet
addressed it, as usual, to "Miss Grace Roseberry." She was just rising
to ring the bell, when the maid appeared with a message from the
boudoir. The woman's tones and looks showed plainly that she had been
made the object of Grace's insolent self-assertion as well as her
mistress.

"If you please, my lady, the person downstairs wishes--"

Lady Janet, frowning contemptuously, interrupted the message at the
outset. "I know what the person downstairs wishes. She has sent you for
a letter from me?"

"Yes, my lady."

"Anything more?"

"She has sent one of the men-servants, my lady, for a cab. If your
ladyship had only heard how she spoke to him!"

Lady Janet intimated by a sign that she would rather not hear. She at
once inclosed the check in an undirected envelope.

"Take that to her," she said,