第104章

I will not say he has justified my opinion.I will only say I pity him.

But, dear Mr.Holmcroft, how can you, with your sound judgment, place the sad alternatives now before him on the same level? To die in Green Anchor Fields, or to fall into the clutches of that vile wretch--is there any comparison between the two? Better a thou sand times die at the post of duty than marry Mercy Merrick.

"As I have written the creature's name, I may add--so as to have all the sooner done with the subject--that I shall look with anxiety for your next letter.Do not suppose that I feel the smallest curiosity about this degraded and designing woman.My interest in her is purely religious.To persons of my devout turn of mind she is an awful warning.When I feel Satan near me--it will be such a means of grace to think of Mercy Merrick!

"Poor Lady Janet! I noticed those signs of mental decay to which you so feelingly allude at the last interview I had with her in Mablethorpe House.If you can find an opportunity, will you say that I wish her well, here and hereafter? and will you please add that I do not omit to remember her in my prayers?

"There is just a chance of my visiting England toward the close of the autumn.My fortunes have changed since I wrote last.I have been received as reader and companion by a lady who is the wife of one of our high judicial functionaries in this part of the world.I do not take much interest in him ; he is what they call a 'self-made man.' His wife is charming.

Besides being a person of highly intellectual tastes, she is greatly her husband's superior--as you will understand when I tell you that she is related to the Gommerys of Pommery; not the Pommerys of Gommery, who (as your knowledge of our old families will inform you) only claim kindred with the younger branch of that ancient race.

"In the elegant and improving companionship which I now enjoy I should feel quite happy but for one drawback.The climate of Canada is not favorable to my kind patroness, and her medical advisers recommend her to winter in London.In this event, I am to have the privilege of accompanying her.

Is it necessary to add that my first visit will be paid at your house?

I feel already united by sympathy to your mother and your sisters.There is a sort of freemasonry among gentlewomen, is there not? With best thanks and remembrances, and many delightful anticipations of your next letter, believe me, dear Mr.Holmcroft, "Truly yours, GRACE ROSEBERRY." III.

From MR.HORACE HOLMCROFT to MISS GRACE ROSEBERRY.

"MY DEAR MISS ROSEBERRY--Pray excuse my long silence.I have waited for mail after mail, in the hope of being able to send you some good news at last.It is useless to wait longer.My worst forebodings have been realized:

my painful duty compels me to write a letter which will surprise and shock you.

"Let me describe events in their order as they happened.In this way I may hope to gradually prepare your mind for what is to come.

"About three weeks after I wrote to you last, Julian Gray paid the penalty of his headlong rashness.I do not mean that he suffered any actual violence at the hands of the people among whom he had cast his lot.On the contrary, he succeeded, incredible as it may appear, in producing a favorable impression on the ruffians about him.As I understand it, they began by respecting his courage in venturing among them alone; and they ended in discovering that he was really interested in promoting their welfare.

It is to the other peril, indicated in my last letter, that he has fallen a victim--the peril of disease.Not long after he began his labors in the district fever broke out.We only heard that Julian had been struck down by the epidemic when it was too late to remove him from the lodging that he occupied in the neighborhood.I made inquiries personally the moment the news reached us.The doctor in attendance refused to answer for his life.

"In this alarming state of things poor Lady Janet, impulsive and unreasonable as usual, insisted on leaving Mablethorpe House and taking up her residence near her nephew.

"Finding it impossible to persuade her of the folly of removing from home and its comforts at her age, I felt it my duty to accompany her.We found accommodation (such as it was) in a river-side inn, used by ship-captains and commercial travelers.I took it on myself to provide the best medical assistance, Lady Janet's insane prejudices against doctors impelling her to leave this important part of the arrangements entirely in my hands.

"It is needless to weary you by entering into details on the subject of Julian's illness.

"The fever pursued the ordinary course, and was characterized by the usual intervals of delirium and exhaustion succeeding each other.Subsequent events, which it is, unfortunately, necessary to relate to you, leave me no choice but to dwell (as briefly as possible) on the painful subject of the delirium.In other cases the wanderings of fever-stricken people present, I am told, a certain variety of range.In Julian's case they were limited to one topic.He talked incessantly of Mercy Merrick.His invariable petition to his medical attendants entreated them to send for her to nurse him.Day and night that one idea was in his mind, and that one name on his lips.

"The doctors naturally made inquiries as to this absent person.I was obliged (in confidence) to state the circumstances to them plainly.