Then she observed.
"My mother will be back soon." "And I had better not be here ?" "No." I advanced to the table again, and laid my hand on the box containing the Cardinal's necklace.
"And this ?" I asked in a careless tone.
"Ought I to send them back ?" "You don't want to ?" "What's the use of saying I do?
I love them.

Besides, he'll see through it.

He'll know that I mean I won't come.

I daren't--I daren't show him that!" Then I made a little venture; for, fingering the box idly, I said: "It would be uncommonly handsome of you to give 'em to the duchess." "To the duchess ?" she gasped in wondering tones.
"You see," I remarked, "either they are the duchess', in which case she ought to have them; or, if they were the duke's, they're yours now; and you can do what you like with them." "He gave them me on--on a condition." "A condition," said I, "no gentleman could mention, and no law enforce." She blushed scarlet, but sat silent.
"Revenge is sweet," said I."She ran away rather than meet you.

You send her her diamonds!" A sudden gleam shot into Marie Delhasse's eyes.
"Yes," she said, "yes." And stopped, thinking, with her hands clasped.
"You send them by me," I pursued, delighted with the impression which my suggestion had made upon her.
"By you?
You see her, then ?" she asked quickly.
"Occasionally," I answered.