She's as lovely a young widow as I ever saw,--and very clever." "Yes;--she is clever." "By-the-bye, Lord Fawn, as you have done me the honour of calling,--there's a stupid mistake about some family diamonds." "It is in respect to them that I've come," said Lord Fawn.

Then Mr.
Camperdown, in his easy, off-hand way, imputing no blame to the lady in the hearing of her future husband, and declaring his opinion that she was doubtless unaware of its value, explained the matter of the necklace.

Lord Fawn listened, but said very little.

He especially did not say that Lady Eustace had had the stones valued.

"They're real, I suppose ?" he asked.