"Oh, yes. It is so divinely quiet. And then the air is so good. I walk two hours a day, as the doctor told me to do. It would have been an awful bore to have had to go South. You couldn't have come with me and I should have gone mad. As it is--I am in heaven!" Anne paled. His fervor always frightened her. How could such happiness last? "But I can only come occasionally, you know, dear. It is difficult for me to get away. I have to make excuses," she faltered. "Excuses, even to Regina. I feel sure she suspects something. Subterfuge is horrible. I loathe it." Head drooping upon its slender stem, she looked like a chidden child. A spasm of fear swept over his face. Anne was suffering. Was it all too much for her? God, if he were only free to marry! Hatred for Claire gripped his vitals like a vise. He rose and stood over her trembling. "Anne, you will not give me up? It would kill me!" The stiletto anguish of his cry tore her soul. "No, no, my poor Alexis." She stood up and laid her hands on his shaking shoulders. "Come, you are over-excited. Let's go into the other room. I want you to play for me. But only a little, for I know you are tired." "Yes, of course, I will play to you, but first I have something to show you." His young voice was excited. He slipped his hand into the warm crook of her elbow and led her into the salon. The many vases and jars were filled with dark red, almost black, roses, Anne's favorite flowers. She smiled. The boy had forgotten nothing. Sinking into a small sofa before the large, hooded fireplace, she looked up at him. "This reminds me of my villa in Florence. Only more gorgeous, of course. I love the carved ceiling and the stone floors. The tapestries look quite genuine, too." "I believe they are supposed to be." His tone was absent. He took a small package from the table and brought it to her almost shyly. "Is this for me?" She glanced up in surprise. He nodded. "Open it." The intense face bent over her eagerly, while she removed the paper wrapping. "How exquisite!" It was a small wooden coffer such as Florentine women had used to contain jewelry. The lid was rounded and on it was painted a replica in miniature of Botticelli's Venus rising from the sea. The lovely faded colors were like a greeting. "I never saw anything so lovely! Where did you get it?" "I've had it for years. But I thought you'd like it. But aren't you going to open it?" "Is there anything in it?" "Look and see." A green velvet jewel-case lay ensconced within the polished interior. "Oh!" Anne's heart sank. She opened the case with a feeling of cold apprehension. Livid flashes of emeralds. White fire of diamonds. Anne turned away dazzled eyes. "Alexis, how could you?" He lifted the bracelet and held it out to her coaxingly. "Do you like it, dear?" His voice was infinitely tender. "Let me put it on for you." "It is beautiful, but I cannot take it, Alexis. Please put it away."