What's the use of them, locked up in the strong room at the bank?
Why doesn't he give them to you; they're yours; by right, as you might say." She seated herself on a chair at a little distance from him and looked at him intently; her face had become flushed at his rough description of the Sutcombe jewels.
"What made you think of them to-night ?" she asked.
"I've often thought of them," he answered, evasively.
"But you almost asked Lord Sutcombe to give them to me," she persisted.
"He must have known what you meant; I could see it by his face.

But you were foolish, Percy, to think that you'd get them that way." "What other way of getting them is there ?" he asked, sullenly.
"I don't know," she said.

"You should have waited." "Waited!" he repeated, with an oath.

"I tell you I want those diamonds; and I must have them, and at once." "_You_ want them ?" she said, as if mystified; then her face grew crimson for an instant, but paled again as she leant forward.

"You mean--you can't mean, Percy, that you would _sell_ the diamonds?
Oh, I see what that telegram means; you've been betting again! You promised me you wouldn't.