These sly words had their intended effect of frightening Mrs. Vance into compliance.
She went to her jewel box and began hurriedly to toss over its glittering contents.
"Here," she said, turning round with a handsome brooch in her hand, "will this satisfy your cupidity?"
But old Haidee's eyes roved greedily over the sparkling gems in the casket. She shook her head.
"I could not sell it for a quarter of its value," said she. "It would not relieve my necessities. Add some other trifle to it, lady—that bracelet for instance."
The bracelet was a very handsome one in the form of a serpent with glistening emerald eyes. With a groan Mrs. Vance put it into the greedy, working fingers.
"You will strip me of every valuable I possess," she said, "and then when I have nothing else to give you will betray me to my enemies, for the sake of gaining a reward from them."
"Lady, you do me cruel injustice," was the hypocrite's meek reply. "I will never betray you while you so generously divide your all with me."
"But if you keep coming with such demands as this I shall soon have nothing to divide with you," said Mrs. Vance.
"Aye, but the rich man will soon supply you with more gold," said the harpy, cunningly, as she turned to take leave.