"Oh—oh—down by the river, Andrea."
"He found you there?"
"Yes, he found me there, and—and talked to me."
"And gave you back the ring?" inquired the Count, tenderly.
The Countess took it from her pocket and handed it to her husband. "I 'd rather you 'd put it on yourself," she said.
The Count took her hand in his and placed the ring on her finger. It fitted very well, indeed. There could be no doubt that it was made for the hand on which it now rested. The Count kissed it as he set it there.
At last, however, he found time to remember the obligations he was under to his friend.
"But where can our dear Dieppe be?" he cried. "We owe so much to him."
"Yes, we do owe a lot to him," murmured the Countess. "But, Andrea—"
"Indeed, my darling, we must n't forget him. I must—"