That person has consequently the prior claim; and, on every
principle of justice, that person must also have the reward.
Nanina, this bag belongs to you--come and take it."
Nanina appeared from the window-seat. Brigida, thunderstruck,
looked at her in silence for a moment; gasped out, "That
girl!"--then stopped again, breathless.
"That girl was at the back of the summer-house this morning,
while you and your accomplice were talking together," said the
doctor.
D'Arbino had been watching Brigida's face intently from the
moment of Nanina's appearance, and had quietly stolen close to
her side. This was a fortunate movement; for the doctor's last
words were hardly out of his mouth before Brigida seized a heavy
ruler lying, with some writing materials, on the table. In
another instant, if D'Arbino had not caught her arm, she would
have hurled it at Nanina's head.
"You may let go your hold, sir," she said, dropping the ruler,
and turning toward D'Arbino with a smile on her white lips and a
wicked calmness in her steady eyes. "I can wait for a better
opportunity."
With those words she walked to the door; and, turning round
there, regarded Nanina fixedly.
"I wish I had been a moment quicker with the ruler," she said,
and went out.
"There!" exclaimed the doctor; "I told you I knew how to deal
with her as she deserved. One thing I am certainly obliged to her
for--she has saved us the trouble of going to her house and
forcing her to give up the mask.
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