It might go against me. But I held a high trump. Again, as before,
Raoul received me alone.
"Dearest," he exclaimed, "I know your news must be good, for you look so
bright and beautiful. Tell me--tell me!"
I laughed, teasingly, though Heaven knew I was in no mood for teasing.
"You're too impatient," I said. "To punish you for asking about the
wretched diamonds before you enquired how I slept, and whether I dreamed
of you, I shall make you pay a penalty."
"Any penalty you will," he answered, laughing too, and entering into the
joke--for he was happy and hopeful now, seeing that I could joke.
"Let me sit down and write at your desk, on a bit of your paper," I
said.
He gave me pen and ink. I scribbled off a few words, and folded the note
into an envelope.
"Now, this is very precious," I went on. "It tells you all you want to
know. But--I'm going to post it."
"No, no!" he protested. "I can't wait for the post."
"Oh, I wouldn't trust my treasure to the post office, not even if it
were insured. Open that wonderful safe you gave me a peep into the other
day, and I'll put this valuable document in among the others, not more
valuable to the country than this ought to be to you.
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