Her hand played, absently, with the coral necklace; without thinking, she drew it with her hand.
The time had come.
The old necklace, worn by use, parted asunder, and fell upon the floor. The lawyer, with his cold courtesy, picked it up.
As he did so,—as his eye dwelt upon it, a strange expression flitted across his rugged features.
With a movement, as rapid as thought, he seized the gold clasp with his left hand, and turned the inner side up.
His eye was glued to it for a moment, his brow grew as pale as death, and sinking into the old chair, he murmured hoarsely:
"Where did you get this?"
Redbud started, and almost sobbing, could not reply.
He caught her by the wrist, with sudden vehemence, and holding the necklace before her, said:
"Look!"