"I'll clean it for you to-day, if you like," he said, when he returned to his seat. "It is very dull and dusty." She thanked him, and he placed it beside his plate. "Ah!" exclaimed the Doctor suddenly, with a glance full of meaning. "That was the marriage ring, wasn't it?" Nenci glanced across at him quickly and frowned--a gesture of displeasure which Gemma failed to notice. "Yes," she answered rather harshly; "it was the marriage ring--if you like to so term it. I scarcely ever wear it, because it brings back too many painful memories. The bond has been galling enough--Heaven knows!" "I thought you had no remorse. You always declared you had none," Nenci remarked. "But since you've known that confounded lover of yours you've been a changed woman." "Changed for the better, I hope," she retorted. "Do you think it possible that I can wear that ring without remembering a certain night in Livorno--the night when all my evil fortune fell upon me?" Nenci laughed superciliously. "Come," he said. "You're growing sentimental. That's the worst of being love-sick. When a woman of genius loves, she always throws common sense to the winds." Her brows contracted for an instant, but, too discreet to exhibit annoyance, she merely joined his laughter, and, with skilful tact so characteristic of her, answered--"Ah, my dear Lionello, you seem to have forgotten our old Tuscan saying, `L'amore avvicina gli uomini agli angeli ed al Cielo; poiche il paradiso scende con l'amore in noi.'" "She's had you there," exclaimed the Doctor merrily. "Gemma isn't the person upon whom to work off witticisms." As he sat at table, Malvano looked the very picture of good health and spirits, ruddy, well-shaven, and spruce in his rough tweed riding-coat and gaiters, for, the roads being heavy and wet, he had resolved to ride his round that morning instead of driving. Only the day previous he had been attending upon the customers at the Bonciani, his ears ever open, and, arriving back at Lyddington by the last train from London, he had been a long time closeted with Nenci, prior to going to bed. The two men had held a long consultation, the nature of which Gemma was unable to determine, but it was evident from her close observation of their demeanour that morning that they had resolved upon some line of immediate action. La Funaro was now playing a dangerous game.