ting pleasantly to one of the large
arm-chairs in the room. The visitor was profusely apologetic.

"I am so exceedingly sorry, Monsieur Thomery, to disturb you at such an
hour, when you must certainly have a great deal to occupy your
attention; but the matter I have come about will not wait, and I am sure
it will interest you...."

This little person seemed very intelligent, and Thomery was favourably
impressed by her manner, which was both simple and decided.

"Madame, I am listening to you. In what way can I be of service to you?"

"I am not here, monsieur," she protested, "to pester you with any wants
and wishes for myself. I am a diamond broker and ..."

She had not finished her sentence when Thomery, smiling but firm, rose,
and said sharply:

"In that case, madame, I can guess the motive of your call...."

"But, monsieur ..."

"Yes!... That is so!... Ever since my approaching marriage has been
announced, I have received, every day, a dozen visits from jewellers,
goldsmiths, upholsterers, and so on ... I regret to have to tell you
that you will not be able to persuade me to buy ... that my betrothed
has received so many wedding presents that there is no room for more....
I do not require one single thing...."

Although Thomery had spoken in a tone which did not admit of any reply,
although he had risen the better to mark his intention of cutting short
the call, the diamond broker had remained seated, leaning back in her
arm-chair.... She gave no sign of being ready to go away.

"Consequently, madame," continued Thomery....

His visitor laughed.

"Monsieur, you have very quickly made up your mind that I have nothing
interesting to offer you! I have not come to offer you ordinary
jewels...."

It was Thomery's turn to smile slightly.

"I quite understand, madame, that you should think your merchandise
exceptional.... But once more ..."

The broker interrupted the sugar refiner with a movement of her hand.

"Do listen to me a moment, monsieur!... Though I am a diamond broker,
diamonds are not what I have come to ask you to purchase ... it is a
question of something quite different...."

She paused deliberately: Thomery gazed at her without saying a word.

"You know, monsieur," continued the broker, "that in such a business as
mine, one is obliged to see a great many jewellers every day; well, in
the course of my peregrinations, I found at a jeweller's--you must allow
me to withhold his name--some p