"You admire them?" he replied, evasively. "I am delighted, I am charmed with your approval of my taste. I shall think more highly of it forever after. The setting of the jewels is old-fashioned; but Madame de Fleury found it so novel that I could not prevail upon her to have it modernized."
"But you have not told me how the jewels came into your possession."
"Oh, very naturally, very naturally, lovely lady! They were not a fairy gift; they became mine by the very prosaic transaction of purchase."
Maurice could restrain himself no longer.
"My cousin is particularly desirous of learning through what source you obtained them. She has an important reason for her inquiry."
This explanation only placed the marquis more upon his guard.
"Ah, your captivating cousin thinks they look as though they had a history? Yes, yes; jewels of that kind generally have. Does the design strike you as remarkable, Mademoiselle de Merrivale?"
"Very remarkable,—and I have seen it before. I could not forget it. I wished to know"—
Dinner was announced at that moment, and the Duke de Montauban came forward and offered his arm to Bertha.