“Very,” said the gentleman; “and as we—­I feel deeply interested in her, I hoped, when I heard your name, that you might prove to be a relative, and could give me some information regarding her.”

“I should be most happy to oblige you, Mr. Palmer,” Mrs. Montague sweetly returned, “but I have never met the young lady, and I know nothing about her present circumstances.  Is she a connection of yours?”

“No, madame—­that is, not as yet,” Mr. Palmer answered, with a slight twinge of embarrassment.  “I knew Mr. Dinsmore, however, and it seems a very sad thing that his niece should be deprived of both home and fortune, as well as her only friend, especially when he was so fond of her and intended that she would inherit his property.  I would give a great deal to know where she is; she would not long be without a home if I could find her.”

“Does the man want to marry the girl?” was Mrs. Montague’s mental query, as she glanced keenly at her companion.  “I begin to believe I should like to see this wonderful creature.”

“You say she is very beautiful?” she remarked, aloud.

“So I have been told, and very lovely in character, also.”

“Then you have never seen her?  Surely you are very philanthropic to be so deeply interested in an entire stranger,” Mrs. Montague observed.  Then, without giving him an opportunity to reply, she asked, abruptly:  “Mr. Palmer, who is that lady just entering the room?  She is very striking in appearance, and what a profusion of magnificent diamonds she has on her person!”

Mr. Palmer started at this last observation, and turned to look at the new arrival.

He saw a woman of about thirty-five, rather stout in figure, very showily dressed, and wearing a great many exquisite diamonds of great value.

The man’s keen eyes went flashing over her with eager scrutiny, his heart beating rapidly, as he asked himself if it might not be possible that some of his own precious gems were among the jewels that she wore.

The suspicion flashed upon him, in spite of the fact that the woman was a guest in the house of his friend, for he knew that thieves had been found mingling with the brilliant throngs attending regular receptions in New York, and might be again.

But of course he could recognize none of them under such circumstances, and his face fell after one sweeping glance.

“It would be impossible to identify any of the stones without a glass, even if they were there,” he said to himself; “for, of course, the thief, whoever she was, would have had the stones reset before wearing them anywhere.”

“Yes,” he said, aloud, “the lady has a fortune upon her person; but I do not know her.  Speaking of diamonds,” he continued, glancing at the ornaments which Mrs. Montague wore, “you will pardon me, I am sure, if I tell you that you, also, have some very fine stones.  I consider myself a connoisseur regarding diamonds and capable of judging.”