“Thank you, you need not trouble,” Helène answered. “I shall send a servant with it to Deringham Hall. Will you be good enough to give it to me?”
Miss Merton drew a step backwards and shook her head.
“I think,” she said, “that I am more concerned in it than you are, for I gave it to him.”
“You gave it to him?”
Miss Merton nodded.
“Yes! If you don’t believe me, look here.”
She drew the locket from her bosom and, holding it out, touched a spring. There was a small miniature inside; Helène, leaning over, recognised it at once. It was a likeness of the girl herself. She felt the colour leave her cheeks, but she did not flinch.
“I was not aware,” she said, “that you were on such friendly terms with Lord Wolfenden.”
The girl smiled oddly.
“Lord Wolfenden,” she said, “has been very kind to me.”