My lord, permit me to present to you my husband, Captain Ralph Percy.

I think that you know his cousin, my Lord of Northumberland." The red left the favorite's cheeks, and he moved as though a blow had been dealt him by some invisible hand.

Recovering himself he bowed to me, and I to him, which done we looked each other in the eyes long enough for each to see the thrown gauntlet.
"I raise it," I said.
"And I raise it," he answered.
"A l'outrance, I think, sir ?" I continued.
"A l'outrance," he assented.
"And between us two alone," I suggested.
His answering smile was not good to see, nor was the tone in which he spoke to the Governor good to hear.
"It is now some weeks, sir," he said, "since there disappeared from court a jewel, a diamond of most inestimable worth.

It in some sort belonged to the King, and his Majesty, in the goodness of his heart, had promised it to a certain one,--nay, had sworn by his kingdom that it should be his.

Well, sir, that man put forth his hand to claim his own--when lo! the jewel vanished! Where it went no man could tell.