41/54 Adelaide saw that her mother had succeeded in getting through Matilda's crust of sham and in touch with her heart. At sight of her son Mrs.Whitney's softened countenance changed--hardened, Adelaide thought--and she said to him eagerly: "Any news, any letters ?" "This," answered Ross explosively. He jerked the letter from his pocket, gave it to his mother. "This is very important." Silence, as she read, her eager glance leaping along the lines. Her expression became terrible; she burst out in a voice that was both anger and despair: "No will! He wasn't just trying to torment me when he said he hadn't made one. |