Her act and the flash of the diamond attracted his attention to the little chain and shamrock upon her breast.
The sight seemed to paralyze him for a moment, for he stood like one turned to marble.
"Where did you get it?" he at last demanded, in a scarcely, audible voice, as he pointed a trembling finger at the jewel. "Tell me!—tell me! how came you by it?"
Edith regarded him with astonishment.
Involuntarily she put up her hand and covered the ornament from his gaze.
"It was given to me," she briefly replied.
"Who gave it to you?"
"A friend."
"Was it your—a relative?" cried the man, in a hoarse whisper.
"No, it was simply a friend."