It was Marie, who had been flirting with the postman at the door.
She carried a letter on a salver.
Jewel snatched it up eagerly, and dismissed her maid.
In a moment she had drawn the letter from the envelope and was quickly perusing it.
Her face darkened with anger, and she gnawed her crimson lower lip sharply with her pearly teeth, muttering vindictively:
"I will not do it—never, never! She shall stay there till she dies!"
[CHAPTER XXXI.]
Again the door opened, and Jewel thrust the letter into the envelope and slipped her hand down among the folds of her rich gown.
"Marie, what do you mean by interrupting me like this?" she broke out, petulantly.