Involuntarily, Brownie paused and glanced within, and her heart stood still as her eyes almost instantly caught sight of her own little ebony casket standing upon the elegant dressing-case, its tiny key in the lock, with the delicate chain attached.
Swift as light, the impulse came upon her to enter and seize it, and bear it away to her own room.
She glided quickly and noiselessly forward.
There was no one in the corridor, there was no one in the room.
She crossed the threshold, and, with a few fleet steps, cleared the space between herself and her treasures.
She lifted the lid.
All were there, in their glittering beauty.
She closed the box again, turned the key in the lock, removed it, and fastened the chain about her neck, concealing it beneath the folds of her dress.
The next moment she had the precious casket in her hands, and turned, to find herself face to face with Mrs. Coolidge.