Nothing could be elicited from her, and the next day found her in a species of hysterical fever, and in the hands of the doctor.
In a short time it was discovered that her cheque—an open one—payable to Mr. Hawke Holcroft, and duly endorsed by that personage, had been presented and cashed at a bank; yet no explanation could be elicited from her about it.
'She had on the ill-omened diamonds, mother,' said Allan, interrogatively. 'How was this?'
'I lent them to her, as the bride of the house, and doubtless she had been trying them on when—when——'
'This scoundrel thrust himself upon her presence?'
'I suppose so,' said Lady Aberfeldie, weeping.
'Evil always comes of these accursed stones!'
'It is simply outrageous,' said Lord Aberfeldie, sternly and loftily, 'that even the family of the most humble tradesman should be haunted by a Frankenstein—a swindler, and worse, like this—but that a house like mine—the house of a peer of the realm——'
And his lordship in his indignation paused as utterance failed him.
'Mystery is involved here,' exclaimed Lady Aberfeldie, 'and I dislike it intensely, as vulgar and very bad style.'