"What are these, Madeleine?—jewel-cases?"
"They were my mother's diamonds. They have been in the family, I can hardly tell you for how many generations."
"Do let me see them."
Bertha opened one of the cases. A necklace, brooch, and ear-rings of brilliants sparkled within. The precious stones emitted a clear lustre which would have caused a connoisseur at once to pronounce them of the first water; but their setting was quaint and old-fashioned. The necklace was composed of diamonds fleur-de-lis, divided by emerald shamrock-leaves. A single fleur-de-lis, surrounded by the emerald shamrock, formed the brooch and ear-rings.
"Some of your ancestors must have come from the emerald isle: so, at least, we may infer from this shamrock."
"Yes, my great-great-great-grandfather married the beautiful Lady Katrine Nugent, and these were her bridal jewels. You see that the shamrock of Erin is mingled with the fleur-de-lis of France."
Bertha unclosed the other case. It held a bracelet and a tiara-shaped comb. The shamrock and lily were blended as in the necklace.
"These diamonds are very lustrous," said Bertha, clasping the bracelet admiringly upon her delicate wrist. "But what are you doing with them, and at this time of night?"
"Looking at them," answered Madeleine, with some hesitation. "I have not seen them before for years."
"You shall wear them for your bridal parure, Madeleine."