colour like dusky ivory--closed peremptorily, in a dumb-show
of receiving; and now, by the bye, you could not have failed
to notice the big lucent amethyst, in its setting of
elaborately-wrought pale gold, on the third finger.

"Come! Give!" he insisted, imperative.

Rueful but resigned, Beatrice shook her head.

"You have caught me finely," she sighed, and gave.

"You should n't have jingled your purse--you should n't have
flaunted your wealth in my face," laughed the Cardinal, putting
away the notes. He took snuff again. "I think I honestly
earned that pinch," he murmured.

"At any rate," said Beatrice, laying what unction she could to
her soul, "I am acquainted with a dignitary of the Church, who
has lost a handsome silver snuffbox--beautiful repousse work,
with his arms engraved on the lid."

"And I," retaliated he, "I am acquainted with a broken-down old
doctor and his wife, in Trastevere, who shall have meat and
wine at dinner for the next two months--at the expense of a
niece of mine. 'I am so glad,' as Alice of Wonderland says,
'that you married into our family.'"

"Alice of Wonderland--?" doubted Beatrice.

The Cardinal waved his hand.