“You want something from thence!”
“I want you to unlock the door. There are beautiful and costly things within that you shall see.”
“Thank you; but I would rather look at them some other day, when my aunt is here, and I have more time.”
“Will you refuse me even the pleasure of letting you see what is there?”
“If you particularly desire it, Captain Coppinger, I will peep in—but only peep.”
She took the key from his table, and crossed the hall to the door. The lock was large and clumsy, but she turned the key by putting both hands to it. Then, swinging open the door, she looked inside. The door opened into an apartment crowded with a collection of sundry articles of value: bales of silk from Italy, Genoa laces, Spanish silver-inlaid weapons, Chinese porcelain, bronzes from Japan, gold and silver ornaments, bracelets, brooches, watches, inlaid mother-of-pearl cabinets—an amazing congeries of valuables heaped together.
“Well, now!” shouted Cruel Coppinger. “What say you to the gay things there? Choose—take what you will. I care not for them one rush. What do you most admire, most covet? Put out both hands and take—take all you would have; fill your lap, carry off all you can. It is yours.”
Judith drew hastily back and relocked the door.
“What have you taken?”
“Nothing.”