sequel? Called upon to choose between the course
indicated by a physician who is making his five thousand a year, and who
is certain of the next medical baronetcy, and the advice volunteered by
an obscure general practitioner at the East End of London, who is
not making his five hundred a year--need I stop to inform you of her
ladyship's decision? You know her; and you will only too well understand
that her next proceeding was to pay a third visit to the Refuge.

"Two hours later--I give you my word of honor I am not
exaggerating--Mercy Merrick was established at Julian's bedside.

"The excuse, of course, was that it was her duty not to let any private
scruples of her own stand in the way, when a medical authority had
declared that she might save the patient's life. You will not be
surprised to hear that I withdrew from the scene. The physician followed
my example--after having written his soothing prescription, and having
been grossly insulted by the local practitioner's refusing to make use
of it. I went back in the doctor's carriage. He spoke most feelingly and
properly. Without giving any positive opinion, I could see that he
had abandoned all hope of Julian's recovery. 'We are in the hands of
Providence, Mr. Holmcroft;' those were his last words as he set me down
at my mother's door.

"I have hardly the heart to go on. If I studied my own wishes, I should
feel inclined to stop here.

"Let me, at least, hasten to the end. In two or three days' time I
received my first intelligence of the patient and his nurse. Lady
Janet informed me that he had recognized her. When I heard this I felt
prepared for what was to come. The next report announced that he was
gaining strength, and the next that he was out of danger. Upon this
Lady Janet returned to Mablethorpe House. I called there a week ago--and
heard that he had been removed to the sea-side. I called yesterday--and
received the latest information from her ladyship's own lips. My pen
almost refuses to write it. Mercy Merrick has consented to marry him!

"An outrage on Society--that is how my mother and my sisters view
it; that is how _you_ will view it too. My mother has herself struck
Julian's name off her invitation-list. The servants have their orders,
if he presumes to call: 'Not at home.'

"I am unhappily only too certain that I am correct in writing to you
of this disgraceful marriage as of a settled thing. Lady Janet went the
length of showing me the letters