my womanhood to hold what is in that leather case sacred."

I felt the blood rush to my face as if she had struck me across it with
a whip. My first thought, to my shame, was a selfish one. What if this
became known, this thing that she had said, and Diana should hear? Then
indeed all hope for me with the girl I loved would be over. My second
thought was for Maxine herself. But she had sealed my lips. Since she
had chosen the way, I could only be silent.

"Mademoiselle, it is a grief to me that I must refuse such a prayer,
from such a woman. But duty before chivalry. I must see the contents of
that case," said the Commissary of Police.

She caught his hand and rained tears upon it. "No--no!" she implored.
"If I were rich, I would offer you thousands to spare me. I've been
extravagant--I haven't saved, but all I have in the world is yours
if--."

"There can be no such 'if,' Mademoiselle," the man broke in. And
wrenching his hand free, he opened the case before she could again
prevent him.

Out fell a cascade of light, a diamond necklace. It flashed to the
floor, where it lay on one of the sofa cushions, sending up a spray of
rainbow colours.

_"Sacré bleu!"_ muttered the Frenchman, under his breath, for whatever
he had expected, he had not expected that. But Maxine spoke not a word.
Shorn of hope, as, in spite of her prayers and tears, the leather case
was torn open, she was shorn of strength as well; and the beautiful,