Although Thomery had spoken in a tone which did not admit of any reply, although he had risen the better to mark his intention of cutting short the call, the diamond broker had remained seated, leaning back in her arm-chair.... She gave no sign of being ready to go away. "Consequently, madame," continued Thomery.... His visitor laughed. "Monsieur, you have very quickly made up your mind that I have nothing interesting to offer you! I have not come to offer you ordinary jewels...." It was Thomery's turn to smile slightly. "I quite understand, madame, that you should think your merchandise exceptional.... But once more ..." The broker interrupted the sugar refiner with a movement of her hand. "Do listen to me a moment, monsieur!... Though I am a diamond broker, diamonds are not what I have come to ask you to purchase ... it is a question of something quite different...." She paused deliberately: Thomery gazed at her without saying a word. "You know, monsieur," continued the broker, "that in such a business as mine, one is obliged to see a great many jewellers every day; well, in the course of my peregrinations, I found at a jeweller's--you must allow me to withhold his name--some pearls, which I am certain you will find are a wonderful bargain...." "For the last time, madame, I do not want a wonderful bargain!" The agent smiled curiously. "There are some things which simply do not allow themselves to be refused," she declared.... She now drew from her pocket a little jewel-case; and, notwithstanding Thomery's unconcealed impatience, opened it, and selected two pearls which she held out to him. "Do examine these jewels! You are going to tell me that they are perfectly beautiful, are you not, Monsieur Thomery?" The diamond broker offered them so naturally that Thomery gave way. He examined the pearls: he was a connoisseur. "In truth, madame, these pearls are superb; unfortunately I am not enough of an expert to buy them without taking competent advice, that is if I thought of acquiring them eventually, but I repeat, I have no wish to acquire such things!" "Deuce take it!" thought Thomery. "This broker won't take 'no' for an answer! Since I cannot rid myself of her by being pleasant, I shall make myself disagreeable!" But the would-be seller still insisted. "Monsieur, you really cannot be a connoisseur, otherwise I am sure you would not return these pearls to me." "But, madame!..." "And I am convinced that if Princess Sonia Danidoff had had them in her hand instead of you, she would have been greatly taken with them!" The broker had emphasised her words so strangely that, suddenly, Thomery hesitated. What did this mysterious visitor mean? What was it she considered so "extraordinary" about the jewels she had just submitted to him?... A suspicion flashed across his mind. "Whence come these pearls, madame?" But, at this question, the broker got up.