The detective had been pacing up and down the room, an expression of the deepest concern on his face.
He noted that instead of being glad to get off so easily from a terrible affair that would cost her many a year behind grim prison walls, this girl's agonizing cry was that she should remain there and prove her innocence to Hubert Varrick.
Surely, he thought, there must be some way of doing so. But Mrs. Varrick was inexorable.
The girl's lovely head was bowed to the very earth.
"Have pity on me," moaned Jessie Bain, "and show me mercy!"
"I will give you ten minutes to decide your future," was Mrs. Varrick's heartless reply.
When the ten minutes had elapsed, Mrs. Varrick rose majestically to her feet.