’What folly this is! You carried off every penny you could lay hands on, and now you ask for money from those you have plundered.’ ’I do not ask you for your own money, I know you have none to give. I want some of Mirelle’s money, or her husband’s—it is all the same. Get me her diamonds if you can. Do you not understand? I dare not remain here above a day longer; I must be off before the beaks are on my track. How is a man to get away without a penny in his pocket? He must halt and beg on his road, and where he begs there he is observed. I must double on the hounds on their way hither. If I make for Bath I shall do. They are sure to run to Port Isaac, whither the "Susanna" was bound.’ ’I wish you were safe away. I do not relish your being here. It would be exceedingly unpleasant for me were you taken whilst I am at Welltown. I do not want ugly stories to get about this neighbourhood, for here my mother and I will have to live.’ ’I don’t suppose you do,’ answered Sampson; ’more the reason why I should be given facilities for clearing off.’ ’I really do not know what to do. I might represent to Mirelle that you had lost everything, and ask her for a little money, a few pounds; but I cannot, I will not, entreat for a large sum.’ ’Why not?’ ’Because it is against my own interest. I am not yet settled into the house. I have but arrived to-day, and if my mother and I are to take up our quarters here, I must not begin by making myself disagreeable to the hostess. You know what Mirelle is. She is simple in some things, but when you think you are going to turn her round your fingers, you discover that she is the most impracticable person you ever had to deal with.’ ’I say, Orange, what about those diamonds of hers?’ ’They are paste.’ ’I don’t believe it.’ ’She gave me part of the set, the pendant, and the stones in that were all artificial.’ ’You fool,’ said Sampson, ’that was why she gave you the brooch. If they had been real, do you suppose that she would have made you such a handsome present?’