His lean yellow hand upon the table was clenched until the knuckles gleamed white in the lamplight.

Laura, on the other hand, leaned forward, her lips parted, drinking in her brother's words with a glow of colour upon either cheek.

It seemed to Robert, as he glanced from one to the other of them, that he had never seen his father look so evil, or his sister so beautiful.
"Who is the fellow, then ?" asked the old man after a considerable pause.
"I hope he got all this in an honest fashion.

Five millions in jewels, you say.

Good gracious me! Ready to give it away, too, but afraid of pauperising any one.