“It is what the people of Naples call a death-charm.”
“A death-charm?”
In her eyes superstition dawned.
“Why do they call it that?”
“Because it is supposed to bring death to any one—any enemy—near whom it is placed.”
“Who can have put it in the house to-night?” Vere said. Her voice was low and trembling. “Who can have wished to bring death here to-night?”
“I don’t know, Vere.”
“And such a thing—could it bring death?”
“Vere! You can ask me!”
He spoke with an attempt at smiling irony, but his eyes held something of the awe, the cloudy apprehension that had gathered in hers.