commissions before proceeding
to shop on her own account. She handed the driver the list of addresses
which she was asked to visit in town, and wondered at his expression of
astonishment; but she wondered no longer as they traversed mile after
mile of dreary roadways, to find on arriving at the first destination
that as great a distance still separated it from the second on the list.
The commissions themselves were trivial and unimportant, at which
Cornelia was not surprised after her personal experience of Mrs
Moffatt's shopping eccentricities, but when she had wasted a couple of
hours driving to and fro for no tangible result, she waxed impatient,
determined that she had done enough for the honour of friendship, and
that Mrs Moffatt could herself finish the remaining transactions. She
therefore directed the driver to take her to the jeweller's shop in Bond
Street where she had made her previous purchases, and anticipated a
pleasant half hour choosing an ornament which would commend itself to
Elma's approval.

The partner in the firm welcomed her with his usual empressement,
mingled with a certain surprise for which she was at a loss to account.
Although a keen tradesman, pearl brooches and bangles seemed this
morning too trivial matters to engross his attention; he had the air of
waiting momentarily to discuss a more important subject, and presently
introduced it himself, unable to be longer silent.

"I despatched a messenger to the hotel an hour ago with the emerald
necklace! Mrs Moffatt informed him that you were not in at the moment,
but would be able to see him at tea-time. She was probably unaware that
you intended to call yourself."

"Yes, she was. It doesn't matter a mite. So long as she was there,
it's all right," Cornelia replied, turning over the tray of ornaments
absently. It seemed odd that Mrs Moffatt should have returned to the
hotel after representing that she was obliged to be absent all morning,
but no doubt some engagement had fallen through which she had intended
to keep. She had lifted a brooch in her hands and turned towards the
window to examine the colour of the pearls, when the jeweller spoke
again.

"We were delighted to receive your agreement to take the necklace, for,
as Mrs Moffatt had definitely decided that it was beyond her figure, we
were on the point of sending it over to our Paris house. I am sure Mr
Briskett will not regret this purchase when he sees the quality of the