“There,” he said, “you are complete now. Anything further would spoil the effect.”
Nancy went up to the glass to examine herself.
“Are these heirlooms?” she asked.
“Of course, dearest. Lady Georgina, don’t you remember them?”
“Yes,” she replied. “I saw them last on your mother’s neck. I was a tiny child at the time, but the unusual size of the pearls attracted me. What is the matter, Mrs. Rowton?—you look disturbed.”
“It is our house-warming, and I want to wear one of your presents to me,” said Nance, going up to her husband. “You spoke of a black diamond. I have not seen it yet.”
“A black diamond!” cried Lady Georgina; “you surely do not mean to say, you lucky people, that you possess a priceless treasure of that sort. There are only a few really valuable black diamonds in the whole world.”
“Strange as it may seem,” said Rowton in a careless tone, “I happened to pick one up when I was abroad. It is a strange gem, and I was able to get it cheap. Yes, Nance, you shall wear the black diamond, if you like to-night. I’ll fetch it at once.”
When he left the room, Lady Georgina went to the door and locked it.
“I want to say something to you,” she said, lowering her voice to a whisper as she approached Nancy’s side. “You must be very careful about your jewels. Don’t leave those pearls about when you go downstairs. I agree with you in not liking that maid of yours. What is more, I begin to suspect her.”