CHAPTER XXVI
MRS. SWINTON HEARS THE TRUTH
The junior clerk of Messrs Jevons & Jevons carried Mrs. Swinton’s card to the senior partner, a hoary-headed old man, well stricken in years. When the card was scrutinized, he could not recall the personality of Mrs. Swinton. He sent for his confidential clerk, who was also at a disadvantage, yet they both seemed to remember having heard the name before.
At last, however, the client was ushered in, and Mr. Jevons hoped that his eyes would repair the lapse of his memory. A pale, dark-eyed, slender woman, wrapped in furs, entered.
“You don’t remember me, Mr. Jevons?”
“Ah! now I hear your voice, I remember. You are the daughter of Mr. Herresford.”
“You were once my mother’s lawyer, Mr. Jevons,” said Mrs. Swinton, plunging at once into business.
“I had that honor. Won’t you sit down?”
“It is twenty-five years ago—more than that.”