Page:Hope-indiscretions of duchess.djvu/93

Rh down the lid of the box, hiding the glitter of the stones, seized the box in her two hands and with eyes averted held it out to me.

“For the duchess?” I asked.

“Yes, for the duchess,” said Marie, with, averted eyes.

I took the box, and stowed it in the capacious pocket of the shooting-jacket which I was wearing.

“Go!” said Marie, pointing to the door.

I held out my hand. She caught it in hers. Upon my word, I thought she was going to kiss it. So strongly did I think it that, hating fuss of that sort, I made a half-motion to pull it away. However, I was wrong. She merely pressed it and let it drop.

“Cheer up! cheer up! I’ll turn up again soon,” said I, and I left the room.

And left in the nick of time; for at the very moment when I, hugging the lump in my coat which marked the position of the Cardinal’s Necklace, reached the foot of the stairs Mme. Delhasse appeared on her way up.

“Oh, you old viper!” I murmured thoughtlessly, in English.

“Pardon, monsieur?” said Mme. Delhasse.

“Forgive me: I spoke to myself—a foolish habit,” I rejoined, with a low bow and, I’m afraid, a rather malicious smile. The old lady glared at me, bobbed her head the slightest bit in the world, and passed me by.

I went out into the sunshine, whistling merrily. My good friend the waiter stood by the door. His eyes asked me a question.