She made, consequently, what
preparation she could against surprise. Thoroughly capable of
managing her features, her anxiety was sufficient nevertheless to
deprive her of power over her complexion, and she entered the
room with the pallor peculiar to the dark-skinned. Having greeted
the Count with the greatest composure, she turned to Mr. Redmain
with question in her eyes.
"Count Galofta," said Mr. Redmain in reply, "has just been
telling me a curious story of how a certain rascal got possession
of a valuable jewel from a lady with whom he pretended to be in
love, and I thought the opportunity a good one for showing you a
strange discovery I have made with regard to the sapphire Mrs.
Redmain missed for so long. Very odd tricks are played with gems
--such gems, that is, as are of value enough to make it worth a
rogue's while."
So saying, he took the ring from one drawer, and from another a
bottle, from which he poured something into a crystal cup. Then
he took a file, and, looking at Galofta, in whose well-drilled
features he believed he read something that was not mere
curiosity, said, "I am going to show you something very curious,"
and began to file asunder that part of the ring which immediately
clasped the sapphire, the setting of which was open.
"What a pity!" cried Sepia; "you are destroying the ring! What
will Cousin Hesper say?"
Mr.
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