“Oh no! Oh no! I can’t take it. A beautiful thing it is, really. It would be worth over a thousand francs, because I believe it is quite genuine.”
“I’m sure it’s genuine,” said Alvina. “Do have it since you like it.”
“Oh, I can’t! I can’t!—”
“Yes do—”
“The beautiful red stones!—antique gems, antique gems—! And do you really give it to me?”
“Yes, I should like to.”
“You are a girl with a noble heart—” Madame threw her arms round Alvina’s neck, and kissed her. Alvina felt very cool about it. Madame locked up the jewels quickly, after one last look.
“My fowl,” she said, “which must not boil too fast.”
At length Alvina was called down to dinner. The young men were at table, talking as young men do, not very interestingly. After the meal, Ciccio sat and twanged his mandoline, making its crying noise vibrate through the house.
“I shall go and look at the town,” said Alvina.