“Takasaki has just told us that jade is unlucky for a man.”
“Well, if it’s to ward off the evil eye,” laughed Ethel, “I may consent to keep it.”
“I have your word for it?” with quick impetuosity.
“Yes,” blushing as her eyes met his.
Barclay drew a long breath. “For the woman wearer it betokens love’s loyalty,” he quoted, and his hands imprisoned hers.
“Loyalty,” faltered Ethel, her eyes on the ring.
“And love,” he supplemented steadily, though his heart was beating almost to suffocation. “Ethel, my darling——”
A heavy step in the adjoining room and the banging of a door brought Ethel to her feet and snatching her hands from Barclay’s detaining clasp she slipped from the room as her cousin, Walter Ogden, entered by the other door.
CHAPTER VIII
P. S.
Walter Ogden stopped on the threshold of the den and regarded Julian Barclay with open displeasure.