Episode 18

"You blame me for being out of spirits," he said; "and you seem to think it is because I am tired of my pleasant life at Mablethorpe House.I am not in the least tired, Lady Janet." He looked toward the conservatory: the frown showed itself on his face once more."The truth is," he resumed, "I am not satisfied with Grace Roseberry.""What has Grace done?"

"She persists in prolonging our engagement.Nothing will persuade her to fix the day for our marriage."It was true! Mercy had been mad enough to listen to him, and to love him.But Mercy was not vile enough to marry him under her false character, and in her false name.Between three and four months had elapsed since Horace had been sent home from the war, wounded, and had found the beautiful Englishwoman whom he had befriended in France established at Mablethorpe House.Invited to become Lady Janet's guest (he had passed his holidays as a school-boy under Lady Janet's roof)--free to spend the idle time of his convalescence from morning to night in Mercy's society--the impression originally produced on him in a French cottage soon strengthened into love.Before the month was out Horace had declared himself, and had discovered that he spoke to willing ears.From that moment it was only a question of persisting long enough in the resolution to gain his point.The marriage engagement was ratified--most reluctantly on the lady's side--and there the further progress of Horace Holmcroft's suit came to an end.Try as he might, he failed to persuade his betrothed wife to fix the day for the marriage.There were no obstacles in her way.She had no near relations of her own to consult.As a connection of Lady Janet's by marriage, Horace's mother and sisters were ready to receive her with all the honors due to a new member of the family.No pecuniary considerations made it necessary, in this case, to wait for a favorable time.Horace was an only son; and he had succeeded to his father's estate with an ample income to support it.On both sides alike there was absolutely nothing to prevent the two young people from being married as soon as the settlements could be drawn.And yet, to all appearance, here was a long engagement in prospect, with no better reason than the lady's incomprehensible perversity to explain the delay."Can you account for Grace's conduct?" asked Lady Janet.Her manner changed as she put the question.She looked and spoke like a person who was perplexed and annoyed "I hardly like to own it," Horace answered, "but I am afraid she has some motive for deferring our marriage which she cannot confide either to you or to me."Lady Janet started.