"But what am I to say if its absence is noticed? He said mamma had given him permission to replace it. She will be sure to ask where it is."
"Say anything. That it fell off--or wear a glove until evening. I will then tell you what to do. I cannot stay longer now."
When Mary Carr was dressed for the evening ball, she went into Adeline's room. Louise was putting the finishing strokes to her young lady's toilette, and very satisfactory they were, when Madame de Castella entered, holding in her hand a small circular case.
"Look here, Adeline," she said, opening it and displaying a costly bracelet, one of beauty and finish so rare, that all eyes were riveted on it. Exquisitely wrought, fine gold links, in the different crossings of which were inserted brilliants of the purest water, with pendant chains flashing with brilliants and gold.
"Oh, mamma!" was the enraptured exclamation. "What a lovely bracelet!"
"It is indeed, Adeline. It is yours."
"Ciel!" ejaculated Louise, lifting her hands.
"Mamma, how can I thank you!" she exclaimed, taking the jewels.
"You need not thank me at all, Adeline. It is the Baron's present. Make your acknowledgments to him."
Had the bracelet been a serpent, Adeline could not have dropped it quicker, and, but for Mary Carr, it would have fallen to the ground. Madame de Castella thought it was an accident.