"I had forgotten the Colonel," he answered. "Of course the young lady is related to us, as you say."
"Charmed, I am sure, to have satisfied you that Grace is not an impostor," said Lady Janet, with satirical humility.
She took Julian's arm and drew him out of hearing of Horace and Mercy.
"About that letter of yours?" she proceeded. "There is one line in it that rouses my curiosity.
Who is the mysterious 'lady' whom you wish to present to me?"
Julian started, and changed color.
"I can't tell you now," he said, in a whisper.
"Why not?"
To Lady Janet's unutterable astonishment, instead of replying, Julian looked round at her adopted daughter once more.
"What has she got to do with it?" asked the old lady, out of all patience with him.
"It is impossible for me to tell you," he answered, gravely, "while Miss Roseberry is in the room."
CHAPTER IX. NEWS FROM MANNHEIM.
LADY JANET'S curiosity was by this time thoroughly aroused.
Summoned to explain who the nameless lady mentioned in his letter could possibly be, Julian had looked at her adopted daughter.
Asked next to explain what her adopted daughter had got to do with it, he had declared that he could not answer while Miss Roseberry was in the room.
What did he mean?
Lady Janet determined to find out.
"I hate all mysteries," she said to Julian. "And as for secrets, I consider them to be one of the forms of ill-breeding.
People in our rank of life ought to be above whispering in corners.
If you must have your mystery, I can offer you a corner in the library.
Come with me."
Julian followed his aunt very reluctantly.
Whatever the mystery might be, he was plainly embarrassed by being called upon to reveal it at a moment's notice.
Lady Janet settled herself in her chair, prepared to question and cross-question her nephew, when an obstacle appeared at the other end of the library, in the shape of a man-servant with a message.
One of Lady Janet's neighbors had called by appointment to take her to the meeting of a certain committee which assembled that day.
The servant announced that the neighbor—an elderly lady—was then waiting in her carriage at the door.
Lady Janet's ready invention set the obstacle aside without a moment's delay.
She directed the servant to show her visitor into the drawing-room, and to say that she was unexpectedly engaged, but that Miss Roseberry would see the lady immediately.
She then turned to Julian, and said, with her most satirical emphasis of tone and manner:
"Would it be an additional convenience if Miss Roseberry was not only out of the room before you disclose your secret, but out of the house?"
Julian gravely answered:
"It may possibly be quite as well if Miss Roseberry is out of the house."
Lady Janet led the way back to the dining-room.
"My dear Grace," she said, "you looked flushed and feverish when I saw you asleep on the sofa a little while since.
It will do you no harm to have a drive in the fresh air.
Our friend has called to take me to the committee meeting.
I have sent to tell her that I am engaged—and I shall be much obliged if you will go in my place."
Mercy looked a little alarmed.
"Does your ladyship mean the committee meeting of the Samaritan Convalescent Home?
The members, as I understand it, are to decide to-day which of the plans for the new building they are to adopt.
I cannot surely presume to vote in your place?"
"You can vote, my dear child, just as well as I can," replied the old lady.
"Architecture is one of the lost arts.
You know nothing about it; I know nothing about it; the architects themselves know nothing about it.
One plan is, no doubt, just as bad as the other.
Vote, as I should vote, with the majority.
Or as poor dear Dr. Johnson said,
'Shout with the loudest mob.'
Away with you—and don't keep the committee waiting."
Horace hastened to open the door for Mercy.