“And is it not?” she cried mischievously. “Ah, bah; what a fright!” and she pointed derisively at Sophia’s portrait. “Come, come, Daria, let us have our frolic while we may!”
“Exactly so, while we may!” retorted Daria grimly; “but afterwards, my dear,” and she smiled a little.
“The deluge,” replied Vassalissa, laughing. “Ah, good master goldsmith, give us the trinket that we may get into the ark.”
But here was the difficulty; I could not fasten the miniature in place, nor could I for the life of me close the locket. The pear was twain and like to be so, as far as I could see, to the end of the world, and Mlle. Daria began to cast suspicious glances at me. I think, for the second time, she doubted that I was a goldsmith.
“Time presses, monsieur,” she said imperiously; “let us have it, as speedily as may be.”
I was red in the face and almost out of temper, but I saw no escape.
“Mademoiselle must leave it with me,” I replied as blandly as I could; “it will take time to secure the portrait and reclasp the locket.”
“Impossible!” said Daria; “we must have it now, monsieur; the matter is imperative.”
I saw that she was uneasy, and I thought that Vassalissa was a little alarmed; both girls pressed forward eagerly.
“We must have it!” they protested.