"Then give me that miniature. I'll ask you on my knees if you like."
There was an imploring ring in the speaker's voice. Geoffrey hesitated.
"If no harm is to come to Marion," he said, "I might break my word."
Ralph gripped him by the arm convulsively.
"I swear it," he whispered. "On my honor be it. Have I not told you before that not for all Ravenspur would I have a hair of that girl's head injured! If ever a man in this world meant anything, I mean that. The miniature, come!"
And Geoffrey, with a sigh, handed the ivory disc to Ralph.
CHAPTER XV RALPH RAVENSPUR'S CONCEIT
"I should like to know why you wanted the ivory picture?"