Something extravagant, she knew, or he would not have laughed so horribly loud.
As Mary rose to send the message to Elise the lady dropped her muff.
They both stooped to pick it up.

Mary was first to reach it, and as she gave it back two things met her astonished gaze.

On the little finger of the bare hand held out for the muff shone the agate that none but MacIntyres had owned since the days of Malcolm the Second.

And through the parted lips, where an instant before a gold-crowned tooth had gleamed, shone only perfect little white teeth, with not a glint of dentist's handiwork about them.

The gold-leaf had slipped off.
Mary gasped, but before the others had a chance to see her amazed face, the lady had risen and linked her arm through hers, and was drawing her towards the door, saying.