ns which have become a family custom with us; for I was obliged
firmly to make Mademoiselle comprehend that I could not in self-respect
run myself off my feet to wait upon the numberless ladies stuffed in
fashion of sardines into these conveyances. To be the slave of half a
dozen _bourgeoises_ does not comport with the dignity of one who for
years served Madame la Marquise and indeed indirectly serves her still.
I was not therefore acquainted with the events of the tour which
followed the two betrothals, until after the return of the expedition;
and it was a great disillusion for me to find that the unfortunate
gentleman and the less than lady were still in the same relation.

As for Mademoiselle and the millionaire, they also return as they went;
but that is not of importance to Madame la Marquise, who wishes only the
future high position of her friend's daughter. That will be assured
through this marriage. The one danger is that both engagements are bound
up together by a singular entanglement. I will explain to Madame la
Marquise.

I informed myself of the situation through overhearing (by accident, of
course) a talk between Monsieur Moore and Mademoiselle. I knew already
that a ring of great magnificence brought back after a special journey
to New York by Monsieur Caspian did not please Mademoiselle. In fact she
wore it only for a few hours, and on retiring to her room that night
threw it so roughly on the _table de toilette_ that it fell on the floor
and rolled under the bed. Having engaged herself, she could not in
ordinary circumstances refuse to wear the _gage d'amour_ of her rich
fiance, even though three wild young boys, who stay here spending money
for love of her, choose to laugh at the size of the diamond and compare
it to the headlight of a locomotive. I heard them pretend to suffer pain
in the eyes from its intense brilliance, and they even went so far as to
manufacture for themselves green shades to tie over the forehead, which
gave them a ridiculous appearance and set all the world laughing. No!
Mademoiselle was obliged to have a more reasonable excuse for taking
from her finger the sign of her betrothal. But she found one without
difficulty. Myself, I heard her plead to Monsieur Caspian that for the
risks of these tours in automobile a jewel of this value was unsuitable.
She requested him to keep the ring in safety not only for a few days but
some weeks, as there was question of a longer expedition thr