Mr. Wogan sagely shook his head, though the story had the stamp of truth on it to those who knew the Parson.
'If he had held you in such respect would he have sent you Lady Oxford's miniature to wear at Lady Oxford's rout?'
'But he did not send it to me for that purpose,' she cried, 'he did not even know that I was going to the rout. He gave me the miniature a long time ago, when it would have been very difficult for him to tell me whose it was.'
'But he told you it was Queen Clementina's.'
'No. It was I who guessed at that, and he--did not deny it.'
Here at all events was sophistry, but Mr. Wogan was less indignant at it than his anger with the Parson's subtleties would lead one to expect.
'Well,' said Wogan, 'I have told you what it was my plain duty to disclose to you.'
At this moment Wogan chanced to look towards the window. He beheld Mr. Kelly's face pressed against the glass. The man had grown impatient and so had climbed on to the railings. Mr. Wogan broke off with an exclamation he could not repress.
'What is it?' said Rose, turning about.
'Some most beautiful diamonds,' said Wogan, spreading out his hand to the window. He then dropped on to the floor and began picking up the diamonds which Rose had scattered when she set her foot on the miniature. Rose bit her lips, and flushed, as he held them in his palm. Then he said carelessly: