'I have so few ornaments, Shafto.'
'And none you prize so much?'
'None!' said Dulcie, with a sweet, sad smile.
'Is that the reason you wear it with all kinds of dresses? What is in it—anything?'
'That is my secret,' replied Dulcie, putting her right hand on it and instinctively drawing back a pace, for there was a menacing expression in the cold grey eyes of Shafto.
'Allow me to open it,' said he, taking her hand in his.
'No.'
'You shall!'
'Never!' exclaimed Dulcie, her eyes sparkling now as his grasp upon her hand tightened.
An imprecation escaped Shafto, and with his eyes aflame and his cheeks pale with jealousy and rage he tore her hand aside and wrenched by brutal force the locket from her, breaking the silver necklet as he did so.