When she had made her selections, and she took plenty of time about it,
chatting all the while with the gentleman in the most intelligent and
fascinating manner, she remarked that she wished her husband to see them
before she concluded her purchase.

"But," she added, thoughtfully, "he is something of an invalid, and
not able to come to the store to examine them; have you not some one
whom you could trust, Mr. Palmer, to take the stones to my home for his
inspection? If he sanctions my choice he will at once write a check for
their price, or the attendant could return them if they were not
satisfactory."

"Certainly," Mr. Palmer graciously responded; "we frequently have such
requests, and are only too willing to accommodate our customers. Will
madame kindly give me her address?"

Madame smiled as she drew a costly card-case from her no less costly
shopping-bag, and taking a heavy card with beveled edges from it, laid it
upon the counter before the jeweler, remarking that she should like to
have the clerk accompany her directly back in her own carriage, as she
wanted the matter decided at once, for the diamonds were to be worn that
evening if they suited.

"Mrs. William Vanderbeck, No. 98 ---- street," Mr. Palmer read, and then
slipped the card into his vest pocket, after which he beckoned a clerk to
him.

"Ask my son to step this way a moment," he said.