"The complete change in monsieur's character makes that a comparatively easy matter."
"All the effect of a business career. When monsieur lost his position after poor madame's death, he said to himself: 'I have barely enough to support my daughter for a few years. I was evidently not intended for a judicial career. I have a taste for commerce, so I will try commerce.' And a very wise decision it has proved on his part, for he has not only accumulated a handsome fortune for his daughter, but transformed himself into the most lamb-like of men, and you have commerce to thank for it all; for you must see for yourself that if a merchant went about beating his customers over the head and kicking them in the stomach, he wouldn't make many sales."
"You are and always will be the same exasperating creature, Segoffin!" exclaimed the housekeeper, impatiently. "Years of travel and business have made no change in you, mentally, understand; physically—it is different—"
"Hold, my ungrateful friend," said Segoffin, drawing a peculiarly shaped box from his pocket, and gallantly offering it to Suzanne. "This is the way in which I avenge myself for your abuse."
"What is it, Segoffin?"
"Some little tokens of friendly regard, for you know that in your secret heart you are really very fond of me."
But as the housekeeper opened the box, and unfolded a piece of paper in which the present was wrapped, she recoiled almost in terror.
"The paper is burnt at one end, and stained with blood at the other," she exclaimed, in dismay.
"Oh, yes," replied M. Cloarek's clerk, imperturbably, "it is a piece of—no matter what, that I used to light my candle with, and when I was wrapping the pin and the earrings up, I pricked my finger,—awkward as usual, you see."
The housekeeper took out a pair of enormous gold earrings, and a large gold pin ornamented with an anchor surmounted by a crown. We will here add, for the information of the reader, that in those days sailors in the royal navy of England still wore earrings, and fastened their woollen shirts with large gold or silver pins.