“He took my purse.”
He held out his hand. “The purse!”
“It was my fee.”
“The purse!”
It fell with a sharp ring on the table and was presented to its owner as the brooch had been.
“I am indeed grateful, sir,” she said, this time with more animation, as though sensible of seeming ungracious. “This man had been already well paid for his trickery. I had given him five gold ducats.”
“Under compulsion, Princess, I fear?”
“Perhaps. But I am satisfied.”
“Then he must return at least four.”
“No, let him keep them; I must pay for my foolish escapade.”