Her touch has not defiled your necklace." "Yes, you must defend what you persuaded," flashed out the duchess.

"It's the greatest insult I was ever subjected to in my life!" Here was the second lady I had insulted on that summer day! "I did but suggest it--it was her own wish." "Your suggestion is her wish! How charming!" said the duchess.
"You are unjust to her!" I said, a little warmly.
The duchess rose from the corn bin, made the very most of her sixty-three inches, and remarked: "It's a new insult to mention her to me." I passed that by; it was too absurd to answer.
"You must take it now I've brought it," I urged in angry puzzle.
The duchess put out her hand, grasped the case delicately, shut it--and flung it to the other side of the stable, hard by where an old ass was placidly eating a bundle of hay.
"That's the last time I shall touch it!" said she, turning and looking me in the face.
"But what am I to do with it ?" I cried.
"Whatever you please," returned Mme.

de Saint-Maclou; and without another word, without another glance, either at me or at the necklace, she walked out of the stable, and left me alone with the necklace and the ass.
The ass had given one start as the necklace fell with a thud on the floor; but he was old and wise, and soon fell again to his meal.

I sat drumming my heels against the corn bin.

Evening was falling fast, and everything was very still.