“You regard me as meddlesome and tyrannical?”

She shook her head.

“I generally prefer to receive answers to my questions.  Pray, what do you consider me?”

She hesitated a moment, and said sadly and gently: 

“Mr. Murray, is it generous in you to question me thus in your own house?”

“I do not claim to be generous, and the world would indignantly defend me from such an imputation!  Generous?  On the contrary, I declare explicitly that, unlike some ‘whited supulchres’ of my acquaintance, I do not intend to stand labeled with patent virtues!  Neither do I parade mezuzoth on my doors.  I humbly beg you to recollect that I am not a carefully-printed perambulating advertisement of Christianity.”

Raising her face, Edna looked steadfastly at him, and pain, compassion, shuddering dread filled her soft, sad eyes.

“Well, you are reading me.  What is the verdict?”

A long, heavily-drawn sigh was the only response.

“Will you be good enough to reply to my questions?”

“No, Mr. Murray.  In lieu of perpetual strife and biting words, let there be silence between us.  We can not be friends, and it would be painful to wage war here under your roof; consequently, I hope to disarm your hostility by assuring you that in future I shall not attempt to argue with you, shall not pick up the verbal gauntlets you seem disposed to throw down to me.  Surely, sir, if not generous you are at least sufficiently courteous to abstain from attacks which you have been notified will not be resisted?”

“You wish me to understand that hereafter I, the owner and ruler of this establishment, shall on no account presume to address my remarks to Aaron Hunt’s grandchild?”

“My words were very clear, Mr. Murray, and I meant what I said, and said what I meant.  But one thing I wish to add:  while I remain here, if at any time I can aid or serve you, Aaron Hunt’s grandchild will most gladly do so.  I do not flatter myself that you will ever require or accept my assistance in anything, nevertheless I would cheerfully render it should occasion arise.”

He bowed and returned the emerald, and Edna turned to leave the library.

“Before you go, examine this bauble.”

He took from his vest pocket a velvet case containing a large ring, which he laid in the palm of her hand.

It was composed of an oval jacinth, with a splendid scarlet fire leaping out as the light shone on it, and the diamonds that clustered around it were very costly and brilliant.  There was no inscription, but upon the surface of the jacinth was engraved a female head crowned with oak leaves, among which serpents writhed and hissed, and just beneath the face grinned a dog’s head.  The small but exquisitely carved human face was savage, sullen, sinister, and fiery rays seemed to dart from the relentless eyes.

“Is it a Medusa?”

“No.”