This thought greatly elated him, and he chuckled to himself as he
imagined her astonishment when he should inform her of the offer of the
diamond merchant.

He soon finished his breakfast and repaired to the reception-room, where
he drew forth his morning paper to while away the time until Mrs. Bently
should appear.

But she did not hurry, and he began to grow impatient. Evidently she had
no faith in the genuineness of the stones, and had no intention of
spoiling her breakfast just to be told what she already knew.

It was nearly half an hour before she came to him, but he could forgive
her for making him wait, for her greeting was unusually cordial, and she
seemed lovelier than ever in her pretty dress of dark gray trimmed with
black. It was made very high at the throat, and fitted her perfect form
like a glove. Her face was like a flawless pearl, and he had begun to
think the soft ruddy rings that crowned her milk-white brow and made her
look so youthful, the most beautiful hair in the world.

He sprang to his feet, his face all aglow, and went forward to take the
hand she extended to him.

"I have such good news for you, Mrs. Bently," he said, as he drew the
little box from his pocket. "Your gems are real after all," and he
slipped them into her hand as he spoke.

She lifted a startled, incredulous look to his face.