“Nay, it is useless to deny it!” he rejoined. “I have but to search this chamber to find proof of your guilt.”
“Search it then!” she cried, in the same defiant tone.
Doctor Spencer glanced around, and his eye quickly alighted upon the dressing-box.
“Open this box!” he cried, seizing her hand, and drawing her towards it. “Open it, I say!” he reiterated, in a terrible voice. “There the poison is concealed!”
So overpowered was she by his determined manner, that she did not dare to disobey.
Without offering the slightest resistance, she unlocked the box, and disclosed the casket.
He uttered a cry of satisfaction on beholding it.
“Now unlock this!” he said, giving her the casket.
Again she obeyed; but instantly took forth a phial containing the poison, and would have swallowed its contents, had not Doctor Spencer snatched it from her.
“Why do you treat me thus cruelly?” she cried. “Why not let me die?”