"I'm not aware, my lady."
"Tell him to give it to my maid. Ridiculous rubbish!" murmured Lady Jane, serenely.
But the man returned.
"Mr. Masterson's direction from the General, please, my lady, was to give the parcel into your own hands."
"Where is he?" inquired Lady Jane, rising with a lofty fierceness.
"In the small breakfast-parlour, my lady."
"Show me the way, please."
When Lady Jane Lennox arrived she found Mr. Masterson cloaked and muffled, as though off a journey, and he explained, that having met General Lennox yesterday accidentally in Oxford Street, in London, from whence he had only just returned, he had asked him to take charge of a parcel, to be delivered into her ladyship's own hands, where, accordingly, he now placed it.
Lady Jane did not thank him; she was rather conscious of herself conferring a favour by accepting anything at his hands; and when he was gone she called her maid, and having reached her room and lighted her candles, she found a very beautiful set of diamonds.
"Why, these are really superb, beautiful brilliants!" exclaimed the handsome young lady. The cloud had quite passed away, and a beautiful light glowed on her features.