The next words were suspended on her lips.
Alban seized the chance of making her betray herself--under pretense of helping her.

"Perhaps you find the figures not easy to read," he said.

"The date is 'thirtieth September, eighteen hundred and seventy-seven'-- nearly four years since." Not a word, not a movement, escaped Mrs.Rook.She held the locket before her as she had held it from the first.

Alban looked at Emily.
Her eyes were riveted on the housekeeper: she was barely capable of preserving the appearance of composure.

Seeing the necessity of acting for her, he at once said the words which she was unable to say for herself.
"Perhaps, Mrs.Rook, you would like to look at the portrait ?" he suggested.