Melrose's composure gave way. He brought his hand heavily down on the table.
"I shall send them in—as my own property—in my own name!"
Faversham eyed him.
"But they are not—they will not be—your property."
"I offer you three thousand pounds for them!—four thousand—five thousand—if you want more you can have it. Drive the best bargain you can!" sneered Melrose, trying to smile.
"I refuse your offer—your very generous offer—with great regret—but I refuse!" Faversham had risen to his feet.
"And your reason?—for a behaviour so—so vilely ungrateful!"
"Simply, that the gems were left to me—by an uncle I loved—who was a second father to me—who asked me not to sell them. I have warned you not once, or twice, that I should never sell them."
"No! You expected both to get hold of my property—and to keep your own!"
"Insult me as you like," said Faversham, quietly. "I probably deserve it.
But you will not alter my determination."