“Yes, yes!” She followed him as he withdrew, and added, rapidly, in a whisper, “Leave the door ajar!”
He made no answer. As she returned to Horace he entered the dining-room. The one concession he could make to her he did make. He closed the door so noiselessly that not even her quick hearing could detect that he had shut it.
Mercy spoke to Horace, without waiting to let him speak first.
“I have promised you an explanation of my conduct,” she said, in accents that trembled a little in spite of herself. “I am ready to perform my promise.”
“I have a question to ask you before you do that,” he rejoined. “Can you speak the truth?”
“I am waiting to speak the truth.”
“I will give you an opportunity. Are you or are you not in love with Julian Gray?”
“You ought to be ashamed to ask the question!”
“Is that your only answer?”
“I have never been unfaithful to you, Horace, even in thought. If I had not been true to you, should I feel my position as you see I feel it now?”