Mr. Bayliss coughed—a cough of remonstrance.
"Pardon me, my dear young lady, but Mr. Jocelyn was particularly anxious the pearls should be yours—"
She looked at him, gravely.
"Yes—I am sure he was," she said—"He was always good—too good and generous—but if they are mine, I give them to Mr. Clifford. There is nothing more to be said about them."
Mr. Bayliss coughed again.
"Well—that is all that is contained in this casket, with the exception of a paper unsealed—shall I read it?"
She bent her head.
"The paper is written in Mr. Jocelyn's own hand, and is as follows," continued the lawyer: "I desire that my adopted child, known as 'Innocent,' shall receive into her own possession the Jocelyn pearls, valued by experts at L2,500, and that she shall wear the same on her marriage-morning. The sealed packet, placed in this casket with the pearls afore-said, contains a letter for her own personal and private perusal, and other matter which concerns herself alone."
Mr. Bayliss here looked up, and addressed her.
"From these words it is evident that the sealed packet you have there is an affair of confidence."