As usual, Heyton did not refuse the butler's offer of wine, and, after awhile, a hectic flush rose to his cheek, and he began to talk with a strained and unnatural gaiety.
Miriam, who had been watching him, presently stretched out her hand towards his glass with a significant frown; but her husband glared at her and, reaching for the decanter, helped himself.

Suddenly, apropos of nothing, Heyton, addressing the Marquess, said: "Have you noticed that pendant Miriam's wearing ?" The Marquess raised his eyes and smiled at her.
"Very pretty, my dear!" he observed.
"A present from Percy," she said, fingering it.

"I'm glad you like it." "A wedding present," said Heyton, with a sneer.

"Not much of a present; but it was the best I could afford.

She's pretty enough to deserve a complete fit-out of diamonds, don't you think so ?" The Marquess looked up again, half curiously, as if he wondered whether there were any object in Heyton's remark; his lips moved as if he were about to speak; but he closed them again and his eyes went back to his plate.