“What is it? You know I cannot refuse a behest of yours.”
“A further annoyance, in fact a great danger, threatens me now. My dead mother’s jewels—on which I place great store, for they are the only souvenir remaining of she whom I dearly loved—are now coveted by him. In vain I have besought him to let me keep them, but he is inexorable. To place them with a friend in whom I have confidence is the only course remaining; that friend lives—”
“Yes, where?”
“At St. Petersburg.”
“St. Petersburg!” I exclaimed, in surprise. “Oh! but, of course, it is your home?”
“It is; or rather was. Had I the opportunity I would convey them there myself, braving the displeasure of my harsh relative and the punishment that would follow. Unhappily I am debarred. To trust the jewels to the post would be too great a risk, and it is only to—to such a—confidant as you that I can look for assistance.”
“And this is all?” I asked. “You merely want me to take them to St. Petersburg?”
“That is all.”
“The commission is a slight one, Vera; you know how willingly I would undertake, for your sake, a thousand such—”
“How can I ever thank you enough?” she interrupted, her face assuming a brighter expression. “I really thought it too much to ask of you.”