in Tiffany's window only a few days ago!"

"I shouldn't wonder--sometimes the fairies whisper maidens' wishes in
older ears, eh?" Mr. Dinsmore archly returned, and glad to see the gloom
fading from her face.

"The fairies are great tell-tales then, for you are continually
anticipating my wishes," Mona replied. "But," she added, glancing at the
clock, "I have some little things to attend to before going out this
evening, and I must be about them. A thousand thanks for my diamonds,"
and she kissed him softly as she said it, "and I shall surely wear them
to-night."

"And here is your mirror," he said, taking the box containing it from the
drawer of his desk. "Remember your promise, dear, never to part with it."

"It shall never go out of my possession," she gravely replied, as she
took it, and then quietly left the room.

She was very grave as she went slowly up stairs, and once or twice a
long, sobbing sigh escaped her.

"Oh, why did such a thought ever come to me?" she murmured. "It is
too dreadful, and I will not harbor it for a moment. He is good and
noble--his whole life has been grand and above reproach, and I love
him with all my heart."

That evening, about seven o'clock, Mona Montague went down to the elegant
drawing-room of her uncle's residence, exquisitely clad for the opera.