"I certainly did, and you believe me, don't
you? I never told a lie in my life."
Ere Arthur could reply, Grace chimed in.
"Believe you? Of course not. You stole the picture and intended to
keep it. I cannot have you longer in my family, for nothing is
safe. I shall send you back at once."
There was a look in the large eyes which turned so hopelessly from
Arthur to Grace, and from Grace back to Arthur, like that the
hunted deer wears when hotly pursued in the chase. The white lips
moved but uttered no sound and the fingers closed convulsively
around the golden locket which Arthur advanced to take away.
"Let me see her once more," she said.
He could not refuse her request, and touching the spring he held
it up before her.
"Pretty lady," she whispered, "sweet lady, whose name I most know,
speak, and tell Mr. Arthur that I didn't do it. I surely didn't."
This constant appeal to Arthur, and total disregard of herself,
did not increase Mrs. Atherton's amiability, and taking Edith by
the shoulder she attempted to lead her from the room.
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