"What a beautiful box you have, Mrs. Nesbit," said Grace, pointing to a large carved box on the dressing table.
"Do you like it?" replied the other. "I'm fond of it, probably because I was so happy when I bought it years ago while traveling abroad with my husband. It smells as sweet as it did when it was new," she added, placing the box in Grace's lap.
Nora and Jessica, who had been hovering about the room, now came over to see the sweet-scented box. How strangely familiar was that pungent perfume which floated up to them. Where had they smelled it before?
"It is made of carved sandalwood," continued Mrs. Nesbit, opening the lid, "and I have always kept my handkerchiefs in it, you see——"
"Mother!" called David's voice from the hall, and Mrs. Nesbit left the room for a moment.
"Sandalwood!" gasped Grace.
Yes, it was the same perfume that now faintly scented the famous handkerchief.
There was a pile of handkerchiefs in the box. Grace lifted the top one and sniffed at it. She examined the border carefully and the texture.
"It looks like stealing," she whispered, "but I must have this handkerchief. I'll return it afterwards," and she slipped the handkerchief into her belt.
Nora and Jessica had exchanged significant glances, while Nora's lips had formed the words, "exactly like the other one."