Everybody was fully engaged, laughing, flirting, or card-playing. Assignations were being made; money was changing hands, and the candles were burning down and guttering at the sides, as Lord Carboro' exclaimed: "Hang it! I did not think he could stoop to be such a scoundrel as that!" Volume Two, Chapter XIII. MAJOR ROCKLEY'S MISTAKE. "Now, Barclay, you are a wicked flatterer," said Lady Drelincourt, as she sat out in the balcony, with the money-lender leaning over her after leading her there and placing a chair. "I shall risk being rude in my rough way," said Barclay in a low voice, "and repeat my words. I said those lustrous diamonds would look perfect on your ladyship's beautiful throat." "Now, you don't mean it, Barclay. I am not so young as I was, and my throat is not beautiful now." "There, I'm a plain man," said Barclay; "I've no time for fine sayings and polished phrases, and what I say is this: I know your ladyship must be forty." "Yes, Barclay, I am," said Lady Drelincourt, with a sigh. "I'm fifty-five," he said, "and what I say is, how a woman with a skin like yours can utter such deprecatory sentiments is a puzzle. Why, half the women here would be proud of such a skin. Look how they paint. Pah!" "They do, Barclay; they do. Are the diamonds of good water?" "Look," he said, holding them before him. "No, no; some one in the room will see." "I'll take care of that, my lady. Look at them. I daren't tell you whom they once belonged to, but they came to me through accidents at the gaming-table. They are perfect in match and size. Lady Drelincourt, you would not be doing yourself justice if you did not buy them. I wish I dare clasp them on." "No, no; not now. How much did you say?" "I am giving them away at four hundred guineas, Lady Drelincourt." "Oh, but that's a terrible price, Barclay!" "They will be worth more in a year or two, Lady Drelincourt." "Oh, but I could not spare so much money." "Pooh! what of that! If your ladyship likes the diamonds--" "I do like them, Barclay." "I should be happy to give your ladyship what credit you require." "Really, this is very naughty of me, Barclay; it is, indeed, but I suppose I must have them. There, slip them into my hand. You can send me the case to-morrow." "I will, my lady. You'll never regret the purchase, and I am delighted that they will be worn by the queen of Saltinville society." "Go away, flatterer, and tell Sir Matthew Bray to bring me my salts. I left them on the chimney-piece." "I fly," said Barclay; and he went through the rooms to perform his commission, Sir Matthew hurrying to get to her ladyship's side, while Barclay turned to meet his wife who was just returning with their host. "Hallo!" "Oh, I am so much better now, Jo-si-ah. I was so faint." "Ah, Denville, I want a word with you," said Lord Carboro', coming up box in hand. "I say, old lady," whispered Barclay, "got that bracelet safe?"