“Go away, Mercy, for goodness’ sake!” snapped the old lady. “Shut the door, and remember about the bell. If I don’t ring, bring nothing whatever, Mercy. You understand?”
“Yes, ma’am,” said Mercy.
Nesta went and stood in front of Mrs Johnston.
“Take a seat, my dear,” said the good lady, for she recalled that even a clumsy visitor from the Castle was worth propitiating. “So you have come from Miss Angela St. Just. I do trust and hope that the sweet young lady isn’t going to disappoint me?”
“But I haven’t,” said Nesta, “and she didn’t send you a message.”
“But you are staying there?”
“No; I’m not.”
“Then what message have you from the St. Justs, may I ask?”
Mrs Johnston held herself very upright. Even her rheumatism gave way to her anger.
“What has brought you here, may I ask, young girl?”