“Am I to understand,” she asked, with proud composure, “that you don’t believe me?”
Lady Janet maintained her policy of silence. She waved one hand courteously toward Julian, as if to say, “Address your inquiries to the gentleman who introduces you.” Julian, noticing the gesture, and observing the rising color in Grace’s cheeks, interfered directly in the interests of peace
“Lady Janet asked you a question just now,” he said; “Lady Janet inquired who your father was.”
“My father was the late Colonel Roseberry.”
Lady Janet made another confidential remark to Horace. “Her assurance amazes me!” she exclaimed.
Julian interposed before his aunt could add a word more. “Pray let us hear her,” he said, in a tone of entreaty which had something of the imperative in it this time. He turned to Grace. “Have you any proof to produce,” he added, in his gentler voice, “which will satisfy us that you are Colonel Roseberry’s daughter?”
Grace looked at him indignantly. “Proof!” she repeated. “Is my word not enough?”
Julian kept his temper perfectly. “Pardon me,” he rejoined, “you forget that you and Lady Janet meet now for the first time. Try to put yourself in my aunt’s place. How is she to know that you are the late Colonel Roseberry’s daughter?”
Grace’s head sunk on her breast; she dropped into the nearest chair. The expression of her face changed instantly from anger to discouragement. “Ah,” she exclaimed, bitterly, “if I only had the letters that have been stolen from me!”
“Letters,” asked Julian, “introducing you to Lady Janet?”