Ray looked very sober.
"I am very sore over that affair, father," he said, gravely. "If I had not allowed my head to be turned by that fascinating woman, I never should have lost them. She just smiled and talked all the sense out of me. I ought never to have removed my hand from that package, even to prevent a dozen tailor-made dresses from being torn, and then she could not have stolen it."
"Don't grieve over it, Ray, for it will not avail," his father returned, kindly. "Experience is the best teacher, and no one will ever rob us in the same way again."
"I do not think that is likely, and yet I cannot get over it; I cannot bear to consider the gems irretrievably lost, even yet."
"You may as well, for I am sure we shall never see any of them again," said Mr. Palmer, calmly.
"Who is this lady approaching us?" Ray asked, after a moment. "You were talking to her when I motioned to you."
Mr. Palmer glanced up.
"That is a Mrs. Montague—"
"Montague!" interrupted Ray, in a startled tone. "Can she be anything to
Mona?"
"No, nothing. I asked the question upon learning her name," his father answered.