She did not complete the threat. It was not necessary. The haggard eyes had dropped. A slow shiver had passed over the elder woman. She looked suddenly bowed and broken, and, for the first time in her life, old.
Jessica dropped her wrist, and turned away, a low exclamation of disgust dropping from her lips.
"I want to send for Meriaz!" she exclaimed, contemptuously.
"He is—here," stammered Mrs. Chalmers, helplessly.
"Here!" exclaimed Jessica, turning quickly, her interest returning.
"Yes."
"And you never told me?"
"I came to tell you now."
"And you beat about the bush in this whining way? Heavens! I sometimes wonder how it is that you can be my mother! Where is he?"
"At the Holland."