Haidee looked at him wonderingly.
‘But I paid for the diamonds out of that, you know,’ she said. ‘They cost over six thousand.’
‘Good heavens!—did they?’ said Lucian. ‘I thought it was an affair of fifty pounds or so.’
‘How ridiculous!’ she exclaimed. ‘Diamonds—like these—for fifty pounds! You are the simplest child I ever knew.’
Lucian was endeavouring to recall the episode of the buying of the diamonds. He remembered at last that Haidee had told him that she had the opportunity of buying some diamonds for a much less sum than they were worth. He had thought it some small transaction, and had bidden her to consult somebody who knew something about that sort of thing.
‘I remember now,’ he said. ‘I told you to ask advice of some one who knew something about diamonds.’
‘And so I did,’ she answered. ‘I asked Darlington’s advice—he’s an authority—and he said I should be foolish to miss the chance. And then I said I didn’t know whether I dare draw a cheque for such an amount, and he laughed and said of course I might, and that he would arrange it with you.’
‘There you are!’ said Lucian triumphantly; ‘that’s just another proof of what I’ve been saying all along. Darlington’s such a kind-hearted sort of chap that he never said anything about it to me. Well, there’s no harm done there, any way, Haidee; in fact, it’s rather a relief to know that you’ve locked up six thousand in that way, because you can sell the diamonds and the money will go towards putting the account straight.’
Haidee looked at him narrowly: Lucian’s eyes were fixed on the curling smoke of his cigarette.
‘Sell my diamonds?’ she said in a low voice.