“There! you can wear diamonds, and there are so many to whom they are unbecoming. I also look well in diamonds--at least, so I’ve been told over and over again, and I’ve come to believe it at last. I suppose the young men have not concealed from you the fact that you are a strikingly good-looking girl, Jennie. Indeed, and this is brag if you like, we two resemble one another enough to be sisters, nearly the same height, the same colour of eyes and hair. Come to the mirror, Miss Handsomeness, and admire yourself.” She dragged Jennie to her feet and drew her into the room, placing her triumphantly before the great looking-glass that reflected back a full-length portrait. “Now confess that you never saw a prettier girl,” cried the Princess gleefully. “I don’t think I ever did,” admitted Jennie, but she was looking at the image of the Princess and not at her own. The Princess laughed, but Miss Baxter seemed too much affected by the unexpected present to join in the merriment. She regarded herself solemnly in the glass for a few moments, then slowly undid the clasp, and, slipping the string of brilliants from her neck, handed them back to the Princess. “You are very, very kind, but I cannot accept so costly a present.” “Cannot? Why? Have I offended you by anything I have said since you came?” “Oh, no, no. It isn’t that.” “What, then? Don’t you like me, after all?” “Like you? I _love_ you, Princess!” cried the girl impulsively, throwing her arms round the other’s neck. The Princess tried to laugh as she pressed Jennie closely to her, but there was a tremour of tears in the laughter. “You must take this little gift as a souvenir of your visit with me. I was really--very unhappy when you came, and now--well, you smoothed away some misunderstandings--I’m more than grateful. And it isn’t natural for a woman to refuse diamonds, Jennie.” “I know it isn’t; and I won’t quite refuse them. I’ll postpone. It is possible that something I shall do before long may seriously offend you. If it does--then good-bye to the necklace! If it doesn’t, when I have told you all about my misdeed--I shall confess courageously--you will give me the diamonds.” “Dear me, Jennie, what terrible crime are you about to commit? Why not tell me now? You have no idea how you have aroused my curiosity.” “I dare not tell you, Princess; not until my project proves a success or a failure. We women--some have our way made for us--others have our own way to make. I am among the others, and I hope you will remember that, if you are ever angry with me.” “Is it a new kind of speculation? A fortune made in a day? Gambling?” “Something of that sort. I am going to stake a good deal on the turn of a card; so please pray that luck will not be against me.”