第107章

"My aunt looks at the matter from her own peculiar point of view, and makes light of it accordingly.'You never did, and never will, understand Society, Julian,' said her ladyship.'These poor stupid people simply don't know what to do.They are waiting to be told by a person of distinction whether they are, or are not, to recognize your marriage.In plain English, they are waiting to be led by Me.Consider it done.I will lead them.'

"I thought my aunt was joking.The event of to-day has shown me that she is terribly in earnest.Lady Janet has issued invitations for one of her grand balls at Mablethorpe House; and she has caused the report to be circulated everywhere that the object of the festival is 'to celebrate the marriage of Mr.and Mrs.Julian Gray!'

"I at first refused to be present.To my amazement, however, Mercy sides with my aunt.She reminds me of all that we both owe to Lady Janet; and she has persuaded me to alter my mind.We are to go to the ball--at my wife express request!

"The meaning of this, as I interpret it, is that my poor love is still pursued in secret by the dread that my marriage has injured me in the general estimation.She will suffer anything, risk anything, believe anything, to be freed from that one haunting doubt.Lady Janet predicts a social triumph; and my wife's despair--not my wife's conviction--accepts the prophecy.

As for me, I am prepared for the result.It will end in our going to the New World, and trying Society in its infancy, among the forests and the plains.I shall quietly prepare for our departure, and own what I have done at the right time--that is to say, when the ball is over." FOURTH EXTRACT.

"I have met with the man for my purpose--an old college friend of mine, now partner in a firm of ship-owners, largely concerned in emigration.

"One of their vessels sails for America, from the port of London, in a fortnight, touching at Plymouth.By a fortunate coincidence, Lady Janet's ball takes place in a fortnight.I see my way.

"Helped by the kindness of my friend, I have arranged to have a cabin kept in reserve, on payment of a small deposit.If the ball ends (as Ibelieve it will) in new mortifications for Mercy--do what they may, I defy them to mortify me --I have only to say the word by telegraph, and we shall catch the ship at Plymouth.

"I know the effect it will have when I break the news to her, but Iam prepared with my remedy.The pages of my diary, written in past years, will show plainly enough that it is not she who is driving me away from England.She will see the longing in me for other work and other scenes expressing itself over and over again long before the time when we first met."FIFTH EXTRACT.

"Mercy's ball dress--a present from kind Lady Janet--is finished.Iwas allowed to see the first trial, or preliminary rehearsal, of this work of art.I don't in the least understand the merits of silk and lace; but one thing I know--my wife will be the most beautiful woman at the ball.

"The same day I called on Lady Janet to thank her, and encountered a new revelation of the wayward and original character of my dear old aunt.

"She was on the point of tearing up a letter when I went into her room.

Seeing me, she suspended her purpose and handed me the letter.It was in Mercy's handwriting.Lady Janet pointed to a passage on the last page.