that little curly
head would consider to be serious conversation.

"Really serious, you know," continued Aurelia, "not pretence. About
that!" pointing with a pink finger at the inlaid writing-table. "You
know I was with Ralph when he found it out, and I am afraid I was a
little cross to him, only really it was so hard, and they were so
lovely, and it _was_ partly his fault, now, wasn't it, for leaving them
there? He ought to have been more careful."

"Of course he ought," I said. I would not have contradicted her for
worlds.

"And you know I am to be married next month; and Aunt Alice in Dublin,
who is getting my things, says as it is to be a winter wedding I am to
be married in a white _frise_ velvet, and I did think the diamonds would
have looked so lovely with it. Wouldn't they?"

I agreed, of course.

"But I shall never be married in them now," she said, with a deep sigh.
"And I was looking forward to the wedding so much, though I dare say I
did tell a naughty little story when I said I was _not_ to Ralph the
other night. Of course Ralph is still left," she added, as an
after-thought; "but it won't be so perfect, will it?"

I was morally certain Charles would have to give them up, so I said,
reassuringly:

"Perhaps you may be married in them, after all."

"Oh!" she said, clasping her hands together, "do you really think so? Do
you know anything? I have not seen Ralph since to ask him about it. Do
you think we shall really get them back?"

"I should not wonder."

"Oh, Colonel Middleton, I see you know. You are a clever, wise man, and
you have found out something. Who is it? Do tell me!"

"Will you promise not to tell any one?"

"Mayn't I tell Ralph? I tell him everything."

"Well, you may tell Ralph, because he knows already; but no one else,
remember. The truth is, we are afraid it is Charles."

There was a long pause.

"I know Evelyn thinks so," said Aurelia, in a whisper, "though she tries
not to show it, because--because--"

"Because what?"

"Well, of course, you can't have helped seeing, can you, that she and
Charles--"

I had not seen it; indeed, I had fancied at times that Evelyn had a
leaning towards Ralph; but I never care to seem slower than others in
noticing these things, so I nodded.

"And then, you know, people can't be married that haven't any money; and
Charles and Evelyn have none," said Aurelia. "Oh, I am glad Ralph is
well off."

A light was breaking in on me. Perhaps i