She turned deprecatingly to him; she did not speak, or defend herself from the charge; but the look of anguish on her countenance was so keen, the glance at himself so full of pure, truthful love, that the gentleman's better nature revolted at the temper he had shown, and he caught her to his heart. "But they were cruel words," she sobbed; "and just now I have enough to bear." "Let this be my peace-offering, my darling," he said, placing in her hand the French marigold. St. John had long ago heard the tale of the French marigold, and Miss Rose Darling's sombre forebodings touching himself. He had been assiduously cultivating the flower in the garden at the Lodge, and this, that he now gave to Adeline, was the first which had appeared. "This ring, Adeline," he said, drawing it from her finger. "He placed it there, I suppose?" "You saw him doing so," she answered. He slipped it into his waistcoat pocket, and then drew out his watch. "Give me back the ring, Frederick." "No, Adeline. It shall never encircle your finger again." "But what am I to say if its absence is noticed? He said mamma had given him permission to replace it. She will be sure to ask where it is." "Say anything. That it fell off--or wear a glove until evening. I will then tell you what to do. I cannot stay longer now." When Mary Carr was dressed for the evening ball, she went into Adeline's room. Louise was putting the finishing strokes to her young lady's toilette, and very satisfactory they were, when Madame de Castella entered, holding in her hand a small circular case. "Look here, Adeline," she said, opening it and displaying a costly bracelet, one of beauty and finish so rare, that all eyes were riveted on it. Exquisitely wrought, fine gold links, in the different crossings of which were inserted brilliants of the purest water, with pendant chains flashing with brilliants and gold. "Oh, mamma!" was the enraptured exclamation. "What a lovely bracelet!" "It is indeed, Adeline. It is yours." "Ciel!" ejaculated Louise, lifting her hands. "Mamma, how can I thank you!" she exclaimed, taking the jewels. "You need not thank me at all, Adeline. It is the Baron's present. Make your acknowledgments to him." Had the bracelet been a serpent, Adeline could not have dropped it quicker, and, but for Mary Carr, it would have fallen to the ground. Madame de Castella thought it was an accident. "Don't be careless, child. Put it on. You must wear it tonight." "Oh no, no, mamma!" she returned, her cheek flushing. "Not tonight." "What nonsense!" exclaimed her mother; "you are as shy as a young child. When the Baron presented it to me for you, he said, 'Un petit cadeau pour ce soir.' Clasp it on, Louise." "Mamma," she implored, a great deal more energetically than Madame de Castella thought the case could demand, "do not oblige me to appear in this bracelet tonight."