One might believe the queen was about to speak.

On the altar, and beneath the portrait, was the casket containing the diamond studs.
The duke approached the altar, knelt as a priest might have done before a crucifix, and opened the casket.

"There," said he, drawing from the casket a large bow of blue ribbon all sparkling with diamonds, "there are the precious studs which I have taken an oath should be buried with me.

The queen gave them to me, the queen requires them again.

Her will be done, like that of God, in all things." Then, he began to kiss, one after the other, those dear studs with which he was about to part.