The Duke took the ladies upstairs to look at the models, and while
they were intent upon them and other curiosities, his absence for a
moment was unperceived. He ran downstairs and caught Mr. Garnet.
'Mr. Garnet! I think I saw Lady Aphrodite give you her diamonds?' 'Yes,
your Grace.'
'Are they valuable?' in a careless tone. 'Hum! pretty stones; very
pretty stones, indeed. Few Baronets' ladies have a prettier set; worth
perhaps a 1000L.; say 1200L. Lady Aphrodite Grafton is not the
Duchess of St. James, you know,' said Mr. Garnet, as if he anticipated
furnishing that future lady with a very different set of brilliants.
'Mr. Garnet, you can do me the greatest favour.' 'Your Grace has only to
command me at all times.'
'Well, then, in a word, for time presses, can you contrive, without
particularly altering--that is, without altering the general appearance
of these diamonds--can you contrive to change the stones, and substitute
the most valuable that you have; consistent, as I must impress upon you,
with maintaining their general appearance as at present?'
'The most valuable stones,' musingly repeated Mr.
Pages:
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79