Into the library Miss Chandler went, closing the great heavy door behind her.
Leonie stood for a moment nonplused. She could not open the door without Miss Chandler being aware of it, and that she did not desire.
A sudden idea seemed to strike her, and passing swiftly through the drawing-room, she entered the conservatory and silently drew back the portiere that separated it from the library.
By the dim light she could see Miss Chandler quite distinctly.
She had already possessed herself of a key by some means, and was unlocking the desk in which Leonard Chandler had told Leonie he kept his money.
The beauty of the blonde face was marred by an expression of great anxiety, but there seemed to be not the slightest repugnance at the disgusting act she was performing; on the contrary, there was a smile of relief when she found that the drawer contained an even greater amount than she required.
With unusual deliberation she counted out the money, laid it on the desk, replaced what was left, and relocked the drawer. She picked up the money, and was about to leave the room, when Leonie stepped forward, allowing the portiere to fall behind her.
The hand that held the money fell upon the desk, and Miss Chandler gazed at the girl aghast.
Leonie did not speak, but waited until Miss Chandler had fully recovered herself.