“I like your finding fault with them for being too rich,” sneered the baron.
“You do not understand me, sir, I only say they are above my station.”
“The donor of these gems is able to give you a wardrobe in keeping.”
“But such bounty!”
“Do not my services warrant them?”
“Oh, I beg your pardon, I forgot them,” said Andrea, bending her head but unconvinced. She closed the case after a pause.
“I cannot wear such ornaments,” said she, “while you and my brother stand in need of the necessities of life; this superfluity would hurt my eyes in thinking of your wants.”
Taverney pressed her hand and smiled.
“Do not trouble yourself about that, my child,” he said. “The King does this more for me than you. We are in favor, darling. It would not be like a respectful subject or a grateful woman not to appear before our sovereign in the ornaments he kindly presented.”
“I shall obey, my lord.”