“Oh, not picked up on the high-road. When I say ‘found,’ of course I mean provided and paid for. I shall provide them. You can imagine that, poor as we are, we do not live on my salary only. As a matter of fact, I possess about twenty-seven thousand florins; I have looked so much into your private affairs that I suppose you have a right, if you care, to know something of mine. Three thousand, therefore, I will advance, if you can give me sufficient security.”
“That is just what I cannot do.”
“That remains to be seen. Freule Louisa mentioned that you still had a valuable diamond brooch.”
Ursula was thankful he could not see the hot flare of her resentment.
“And do you think,” she said, scornfully, “that I would not have sold that? But it isn’t mine to sell. It is an heirloom. I must keep it, like the rest.”
“It is legally yours,” he replied, “and therefore you must not keep it. Besides, I trust that you will be able to redeem it in the slow course of the years. All ladies like diamonds. I promise to take good care of yours. Bring the thing down before the carriage starts. And now perhaps I had better ring for somebody with a cloth.”
“Stop!” she cried; he had lighted another match and was looking for the bell-rope. “Before you do that I want to say—”
“Don’t. I really do not think there is anything more to be said just now.” He had found the bell and pulled it.
“But I do not want to do this. I do not want—”
“I know you don’t. Did not I tell you so? However, permit me to say that I have as good a right to interfere in this matter as you. I am quite as much of a Helmont—even a good deal more.” His voice rolled out like the threat of a recoiling dog.