“All modern settings! very lustrous very brilliant, but not at all what we are looking for.”
Kate made no reply; for, while she had scruples about abetting a mere scheme, she was not the less eager to be free of the presence of the “Great Inquisitor.”
“That, perhaps,” said Jekyl, pointing to a magnificent cross of brilliants, “would not go ill with the necklace, although the stones are smaller. Say something, anything,” added he, in a lower tone; “the spell is working.”
“That is very handsome,” said Kate, pointing at a venture to an object before her.
“So it is,” said Jekyl, quickly. “Let us see what value they place upon it. Oh, here is Mr. Purvis; how fortunate! Perhaps in all Florence there is not one so conversant with all that concerns taste and elegance, and, as an old resident, happily exempt from all the arts and wiles played off upon our countrymen.”
“How d'ye do d'ye do?” cried Purvis, shaking hands with both. “You heard of the bl-bl-blunder I made last night about the Ar-Archduke?”
“Not a word of it,” replied Jekyl.
“I told him he was a-a-a fool,” cried Purvis, with a scream and a cackle that very constantly followed any confession of an impertinence.
“Meno male!” exclaimed Jekyl. “Even princes ought to hear truth sometimes; but you can help us here. Mr. Purvis, do you see that chatelaine yonder, with a large emerald pendant; could you ascertain the price of it for Miss Dalton? They'll not attempt to be extortionate upon you, which they would, assuredly, if she entered the shop.”
“To be sure; I'll do it with pl-pleasure. Who is it for?”