Lady Janet's inbred sense of justice admitted not over willingly--the
reasonableness as well as the humanity of the view expressed in those
words. "There is some truth in that, Julian," she said, shifting her
position uneasily in her chair, and looking at Horace. "Don't you think
so, too?" she added.
"I can't say I do," answered Horace, in the positive tone of a man whose
obstinacy is proof against every form of appeal that can be addressed to
him.
The patience of Julian was firm enough to be a match for the obstinacy
of Horace. "At any rate," he resumed, with undiminished good temper, "we
are all three equally interested in setting this matter at rest. I put
it to you, Lady Janet, if we are not favored, at this lucky moment, with
the very opportunity that we want? Miss Roseberry is not only out of the
room, but out of the house. If we let this chance slip, who can say what
awkward accident 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 this time?"
This time Julian rang it. "May I give the man his orders?" he
respectfully inquired of his aunt.
"Give him anything you like, and have done with it!" retorted the
irritable old lady, getting briskly on her feet, and taking a turn 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 the intention
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 very
graciously.
"In that case," retorted Lady Janet, "remain here because I wish it."
"Certainly--if you wish it. Only remember," he added, more obstinately
than ever, "that I differ entirely from Julian's view. In my opinion the
woman has no claim on us."
A passing movement of irritation escaped Julian for the first time.
"Don't be hard, Horace," he said, sharply. "All women have a claim on
us."
They had unconsciously gathered together, in the heat of the little
debate, turning their backs on the library door. At the last words
of the reproof administered by Julian to Horace, their attention was
recalled to passing events by the slight noise produced by the opening
and closing of the door. With one accord the three turned and looked in
the direction from which the sounds had come.