"This present is very inexpensive," declared Hubert. "Won't you please ring for Jessie to come to us? I am anxious to see if it is the right size. It will be fun to see her big blue eyes open and hear her exclaim in dismay: 'Oh, Mr. Varrick, is it really for me?' Girls at her age are enthusiastic, and their joy is genuine upon receiving any little token of esteem." Again Mrs. Varrick laughed that harsh, discordant laugh. "The ring is very pretty, Hubert," she said ironically, "but Jessie Bain would never thank you for so inexpensive a gift. That diamond bracelet is much more to her fancy." "Girls of her age might fancy diamond bracelets, but they would never care to possess them, because they could not wear them, as they would be entirely out of place." For the third time that harsh, shrill laugh from Mrs. Varrick's lips filled the room. "I repeat, this bracelet would be more to her fancy," she added, grimly. "If you will not ring for Jessie, I will do it myself," said Hubert, good-humoredly; adding: "You are just a little bit jealous, mother, and wish to keep me all to yourself, I imagine." But ere he could reach the bell-rope she had swiftly followed him and laid a detaining hand on his arm. She had put off the telling of her story from moment to moment, but it had to be told now. "You need not take the trouble to ring that bell," she said, "for it would be useless--quite useless." "Why, what do you mean?" he asked, in unfeigned astonishment, thinking that perhaps she meant to forbid him giving the girl the little ring; and he grew nettled at that thought. He said to himself that he was over one-and-twenty, and was entitled to do as he pleased in such matters. "Listen, Hubert; I have something to tell you, and you must hear me out. Come and sit on this sofa beside me. I can tell you better then." "What is the meaning of all this secrecy, mother?" he cried. "To begin with," slowly began Mrs. Varrick, "Jessie Bain is no longer under this roof." He looked at her as though he did not fully take in the meaning of her words. "I will tell you the whole story, my son," she said; "but promise me first that you will not interrupt me, no matter how much you may be inclined to do so, and that you will hear without comment all that I have to say." "Do I understand you to say that Jessie Bain is not here?" he cried. "Promise not to interrupt me and I will tell you all." He bowed his head in acknowledgment, though he did not gratify her by saying as much in so many words. Slowly, in a clear, shrill voice, Mrs. Varrick began the story she had so carefully rehearsed over and over again; but as the words fell from her lips she could not trust herself to meet the clear, eagle glance her son bent upon her.