"Now comes the best thing. Have you ever seen more beautiful workmanship? You must wear this necklace, Ruth, as my first gift."
He held up the costly ornament, but she shrank back, asking bitterly
"Captured booty?"
"In honorable war," he answered, proudly, approaching to fasten the jewels round her neck with his own hands; but she pushed him back, snatched the ornament, and hurled it on the floor, exclaiming angrily:
"I loathe the stolen thing. Pick it up. It may suit the camp- followers."
This destroyed his self-control, and seizing both her arms in an iron grasp, he muttered through his clenched teeth:
"That is an insult to my mother; take it back." But Ruth heard and saw nothing; full of indignation she only felt that violence was being done her, and vainly struggled against the irresistible strength, which held her fast.
Meantime the door had opened wide, but neither noticed it until a man's deep voice loudly and wrathfully exclaimed:
"Back, you scoundrel! Come here, Ruth. This is the way the assassin greets his family; begone, begone! you disgrace of my house!"
Adam had uttered the words, and now drew the hammer from the belt of his leather apron.