She was about to lock up the secretary, when her eye fell on the title of a small manuscript volume in a corner; and as shet read, she pressed one hand convulsively to her heart, while twice with the other she grasped the volume, and twice withdrew the grasp.

The title ran harmlessly thus: "Philosophical and Chemical Inquiries into the Nature and Materials of the Poisons in Use between the Fourteenth and Sixteenth Centuries." Hurriedly, and at last as if doubtful of herself, she left the manuscript, closed the secretary, and returned to Gabriel.
"You have got the paper you seek ?" he said.
"Yes." "Then whatever you do, you must be quick; he will soon discover the loss." "I will be quick." "It is I whom he will suspect," said Gabriel, in alarm, as that thought struck him.

"No, for my sake do not take the letter till I am gone.

Do not fear in the mean time; he will do nothing against you while I am here." "I will replace the letter till then," said Lucretia, meekly.

"You have a right to my first thoughts." So she went back, and Gabriel (suspicious perhaps) crept after her.
As she replaced the document, he pointed to the manuscript which had tempted her.