on succeeds--and it will fail or succeed tonight--you will have
those comforts which love will heighten into luxuries and--and--"

He was becoming incoherent again, and this time with his eyes fixed
elsewhere than on my face. Following his gaze, I discovered what had
distracted his attention. The lady with the diamond was approaching us
on her way to the alcove. She was accompanied by two gentlemen, both
strangers to me, and her head, sparkling with brilliants, was turning
from one to the other with an indolent grace. I was not surprised that
the man at my side quivered and made a start as if to rise. She was a
gorgeous image. In comparison with her imposing figure in its trailing
robe of rich pink velvet, my diminutive frame in its sea-green gown must
have looked as faded and colorless as a half-obliterated pastel.

"A striking woman," I remarked as I saw he was not likely to resume the
conversation which her presence had interrupted. "And what a diamond!"

The glance he cast me was peculiar.

"Did you notice it particularly?" he asked.

Astonished, for there was something very uneasy in his manner so that
I half expected to see him rise and join the group he was so eagerly
watching without waiting for my lips to frame a response, I quickly
replied:

"It would be difficult not to notice what one would naturally expect to
see only on the breast of a queen. But perhaps she is a queen. I should
judge so from the homage which follows her."

His eyes sought mine. There was inquiry in them, but it was an inquiry I
did not understand.

"What can you know about diamonds?" he presently demanded. "Nothing but
their glitter, and glitter is not all,--the gem she wears may be a very
tawdry one."

I flushed with humiliation. He was a dealer in gems--that was his
business--and the check which he had put upon my enthusiasm certainly
made me conscious of my own presumption. Yet I was not disposed to take
back my words. I had had a better opportunity than himself for seeing
this remarkable jewel, and, with the perversity of a somewhat ruffled
mood, I burst forth, as soon as the color had subsided from my cheeks:

"No, no! It is glorious, magnificent. I never saw its like. I doubt if
you ever have, for all your daily acquaintance with jewels. Its value
must be enormous. Who is she? You seem to know her."

It was a direct question, but I received no reply. Mr. Durand's eyes had
followed the lady, who had lingered somewhat oste