Violet looked surprised and alarmed at this, and hastened to ask:
"Oh, Mr. Carter, is there something of which I am ignorant? Or have I done wrong in any way?"
Nick turned to her and gravely answered:
"No, Miss Page, you have done nothing wrong—far from it! But there is considerable of which you are ignorant."
"Oh, sir, what do you mean?"
"Wait just one moment, and I then may be able to tell you," said Nick, rising. "I have something here that I wish to show you."
He went to his library desk and took from a drawer the silver jewel casket which he had brought from Central Park.
When he turned he held it in his extended hand, and the eyes of the girl suddenly fell upon it.
Instantly she leaped to her feet, as pale as death itself.
Then a scream, as of sudden, ungovernable terror, rose from her lips and rang with piercing shrillness through the house.