“Certainly. I am very wide awake. I have had my little nap. I do not need more sleep to-night—that is, if you really wish to speak to me.”
“I want to say something, but I shall not keep you long.”
“Have you been in the room many minutes?”
“Two or three.”
“You were seated here close to me, looking at me?”
“Aye, I looked at you. By the way, Clara, I wish you would not wear those diamonds every night.”
“Why not? Do you object?”
“I do. It is bad form. You are not going out anywhere. Only a parvenu would load herself with jewels in the way you do. You coughed, too, in your sleep, and when you did I noticed the diamonds. Do you ever feel ill, or tired, or weary?”
“Of late I have done so from time to time.”
“I thought as much. I must send you to a warmer climate, but we will talk of that later on. You cannot leave England at present. You are useful to me.”