n this moment of confused
feeling and creeping luxurious languor she was glad of this
diversion--glad of such an event as having her own diamonds to try on.

Within all the sealed paper coverings was a box, but within the box
there _was_ a jewel-case; and now she felt no doubt that she had the
diamonds. But on opening the case, in the same instant that she saw
them gleam she saw a letter lying above them. She knew the handwriting
of the address. It was as if an adder had lain on them. Her heart gave
a leap which seemed to have spent all her strength; and as she opened
the bit of thin paper, it shook with the trembling of her hands. But it
was legible as print, and thrust its words upon her.

These diamonds, which were once given with ardent love to Lydia
Glasher, she passes on to you. You have broken your word to her, that
you might possess what was hers. Perhaps you think of being happy, as
she once was, and of having beautiful children such as hers, who will
thrust hers aside. God is too just for that. The man you have married
has a withered heart. His best young love was mine: you could not take
that from me when you took the rest. It is dead: but I am the grave
in which your chance of happiness is buried as well as mine. You had
your warning. You have chosen to injure me and my children. He had
meant to marry me. He would have married me at last, if you had not
broken your word. You will have your punishment. I desire it with all
my soul.

Will you give him this letter to set him against me and ruin us
more--me and my children? Shall you like to stand before your husband
with these diamonds on you, and these words of mine in his thoughts and
yours? Will he think you have any right to complain when he has made
you miserable? You took him with your eyes open. The willing wrong you
have done me will be your curse.

It seemed at first as if Gwendolen's eyes were spell-bound in reading
the horrible words of the letter over and over again as a doom of
penance; but suddenly a new spasm of terror made her lean forward and
stretch out the paper toward the fire, lest accusation and proof at
once should meet all eyes. It flew like a feather from her trembling
fingers and was caught up in a great draught of flame. In her movement
the casket fell on the floor and the diamonds rolled out. She took no
notice, but fell back in her chair again helpless. She c