It's strange how little you know of the Marquess; you, his own son! Why, even I, who have known him so short a time, know that to ask for them, to hint for them, would be of no use.

They are the family diamonds; they're something more than jewels in his eyes--don't you understand that ?--he will have to grow to like me a good deal better than he does before he gives them to me.

It's no use, Percy.

You must think of something else." "There is no other way," he said.
He dropped back, his head sunk on his breast, his teeth gnawing at the projecting under-lip; and she stood looking down at him, though scarcely seeing him.

Suddenly he glanced up at her, his lips twitching; a certain furtive gleam in his light eyes.
"Oh, well, never mind, old girl!" he said, with an affectation of concurrence.