She had lived with him now for over six years and
she had never...never...never...
And she knew, unconsentingly, infallibly, that Mortimer had stolen the
bonds.
CHAPTER VII
I
Alexina drew the jewel coffer from the depths of the compartment and opened
it with fingers that felt swollen and numb. But the jewels were there, and
she experienced a feeling of fleeting satisfaction. They were no part of
her fortune, for she believed that only want would ever induce her to sell
them, but at least they were her own personal treasure and a part of the
beauty of life.
She returned the fallen box to its place and locked the little cupboard,
then took herself in hand. Neither the keeper outside the door of the vault
nor those she met above must suspect that anything was wrong with her. What
she should do she had no idea at the moment, but at all events she must
have time to think.
She left the bank with her usual light step and her head high, and then she
motored down the Peninsula. As she passed the shipyards she saw crowds of
men standing about; some of them turned and scowled after her. They were on
strike and took her no doubt for the wife or daughter of a millionaire; and
in truth there was never any difference superficially in her appearance
from that of her wealthier friends. She had one ear instead of several hut
it was perfect of its kind. Her wardrobe was by no means as extensive as
Sibyl's or Janet's or a hundred others, but what she had came from the best
houses, that use only the costliest materials.
Pages:
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254