The night was hot, close.

The unaccustomed high collar of Matilda's dress had seemed suffocating to Mrs.De Peyster, and she had loosened it, and also she had taken off the pearl pendant which had chafed her beneath the warm, heavy cloth.
The pearl and its delicate chain of platinum were now lying on their center-table.
Several times Matilda's eye had gone furtively toward the pendant.
"I don't see why," she at length said doggedly, "you shouldn't let me pawn that pearl." "I believe I have requested you not to refer to this again." Mrs.De Peyster's tone was stiff.
Matilda's face showed stubborn bitterness.

But the habit of obedience was too old and strong for her to speak further.
There was another silence.

Both sat in desperate thought.

Suddenly Mrs.De Peyster looked up.