“Nay,” said I, “there is one thing I want to do before that;” and I called to a servant girl who was hovering between terror and excitement at the events of the evening, and asked her whether Mme. Delhasse had returned.

“No, sir,” she answered.  “The lady left word that she would be back in half an hour, but she has not yet returned.”

Then I said to Gustave de Berensac, laying my hand on his shoulder: 

“When I am married, Gustave, you will not meet my mother-in-law in my house;” and I left Gustave staring in an amazement not unnatural to his ignorance.  And I allowed myself to be directed by the servant girl to where the duchess sat.

The duchess waited till the door was shut, and then turned to me as if about to speak, but I was beforehand with her; and I began: 

“Forgive me for speaking of the necklace, but I fear it is still missing.”

The duchess looked at me scornfully.

“He gave it to the girl again, I suppose?” she asked.

“He gave it,” I answered, “to the girl’s mother, and she, I fear, has made off with it;” and I told the duchess how Mme. Delhasse had laid her plot.  The duchess heard me in silence, but at the end she remarked: 

“It does not matter.  I would never have worn the thing again; but it was a pretty plot between them.”

“The duke had no thought,” I began, “but that—­”

“Oh, I meant between mother and daughter,” said the duchess.  “The mother gets the diamonds from my husband; the daughter, it seems, Mr. Aycon, is likely to get respectability from you; and I suppose they will share the respective benefits when this trouble has blown over.”

It was no use to be angry with her; to confess the truth, I felt that anger would come ill from me.  So I did but say very quietly: 

“I think you are wrong.  Mlle. Delhasse knew nothing of her mother’s device.”

“You do not deny all of what I say,” observed the duchess.

“Mlle. Delhasse,” I returned, “is in no need of what you suggest; but I hope that she will be my wife.”

“And some day,” said the duchess, “you will see the necklace—­or perhaps that would not be safe.  Madame will send the money.”

“When it happens,” said I, “on my honor, I will write and tell you.”

The duchess, with a toss of her head which meant “Well, I’m right and you’re wrong,” rose from her seat.

“I must take poor Armand home,” said she.  “M. de Berensac is going with me.  Will you accompany us?”

“If you will give me a delay of one hour, I will most willingly.”

“What have you to do in that hour, Mr. Aycon?”

“I purpose to escort Mlle. Delhasse back to the convent and leave her there.  I suppose we shall all have to answer some questions in regard to this sad matter, and where can she stay near Avranches save there?”

“She certainly can’t come to my house,” said the duchess.