"And so am I. I have learned that you are in possession of certain jewels which I cannot allow to be held by my wife."
"I am not your wife, Lord Fawn." As she said this, she rose from her reclining posture and sat erect.
"That is true. You are not. But you said you would be."
"Go on, sir."
"It was the pride of my life to think that I had attained to so much happiness. Then came this matter of the diamonds."
"What business have you with my diamonds,—more than any other man?"
"Simply that I am told that they are not yours."
"Who tells you so?"
"Various people. Mr. Camperdown."
"If you, my lord, intend to take an attorney's word against mine, and that on a matter as to which no one but myself can know the truth, then you are not fit to be my husband. The diamonds are my own, and should you and I become man and wife, they must remain so by special settlement. While I choose to keep them they will be mine,—to do with them as I please. It will be my pleasure, when my boy marries, to hang them round his bride's neck." She carried herself well, and spoke her words with dignity.