“Why, then, my girl, God be with you, and God forgive you!”
Then Justine turned to Lord Exham, “I have done what you demanded. May I now go my own way?”
“Not just yet. You will return with me.”
He gave his card to the Master, and followed the woman, keeping her constantly under his hand and eye until they returned to Annabel’s parlour. Annabel was in a dead sleep; but their entrance awakened her, and it pained Piers to see the look of fear that came into her face when she saw her cruel tormentor. She was speedily relieved, however; for the first words she heard, was an order from Piers, bidding her to be ready to leave the house in twenty minutes. He took out his watch as he gave the order, and then added, “First of all, return to me my ring.”
“I did not take your ring, my lord.”
“You have it in your possession. Return it at once.”
“Miss Vyner stole it–”
“Give it to me! You know the consequences of one more refusal.”
Then Justine took from her purse the long missing ring. She threw it on the table, and, with tears of rage, said,–
“May ill-luck and false love go with it, and follow all who own it!”