'Andrew, come and give me your arm.' But when she rose Mrs.Mel was no more than the length of an arm from her elbow.
In the midst of the horrible anguish she was enduring, the Countess could not help criticizing her mother's curtsey to Lady Jocelyn.

Fine, but a shade too humble.

Still it was fine; all might not yet be lost.
'Mama!' she softly exclaimed, and thanked heaven that she had not denied her parent.
Mrs.Mel did not notice her or any of her children.

There was in her bosom a terrible determination to cast a devil out of the one she best loved.

For this purpose, heedless of all pain to be given, or of impropriety, she had come to speak publicly, and disgrace and humiliate, that she might save him from the devils that had ruined his father.
'My lady,' said the terrible woman, thanking her in reply to an invitation that she should be seated, 'I have come for my son.