, round her neck, and the little emerald stars in her ears.

Grandcourt stood with his back to the fire and looked at her as she
entered.

"Am I altogether as you like?" she said, speaking rather gaily. She was
not without enjoyment in this occasion of going to Brackenshaw Castle
with her new dignities upon her, as men whose affairs are sadly
involved will enjoy dining out among persons likely to be under a
pleasant mistake about them.

"No," said Grandcourt.

Gwendolen felt suddenly uncomfortable, wondering what was to come. She
was not unprepared for some struggle about the diamonds; but suppose he
were going to say, in low, contemptuous tones, "You are not in any way
what I like." It was very bad for her to be secretly hating him; but it
would be much worse when he gave the first sign of hating her.

"Oh, mercy!" she exclaimed, the pause lasting till she could bear it no
longer. "How am I to alter myself?"

"Put on the diamonds," said Grandcourt, looking straight at her with
his narrow glance.

Gwendolen paused in her turn, afraid of showing any emotion, and
feeling that nevertheless there was some change in her eyes as they met
his. But she was obliged to answer, and said as indifferently as she
could, "Oh, please not. I don't think diamonds suit me."

"What you think has nothing to do with it," said Grandcourt, his _sotto
voce_ imperiousness seeming to have an evening quietude and finish,
like his toilet. "I wish you to wear the diamonds."

"Pray excuse me; I like these emeralds," said Gwendolen, frightened in
spite of her preparation. That white hand of his which was touching his
whisker was capable, she fancied, of clinging round her neck and
threatening to throttle her; for her fear of him, mingling with the
vague foreboding of some retributive calamity which hung about her
life, had reached a superstitious point.

"Oblige me by telling me your reason for not wearing the diamonds when
I desire it," said Grandcourt. His eyes were still fixed upon her, and
she felt her own eyes narrowing under them as if to shut out an
entering pain.

Of what use was the rebellion within her? She could say nothing that
would not hurt her worse than submission. Turning slowing and covering
herself again, she went to her dressing-room. As she reached out the
diamonds it occurred to her that her unwillingness to wear them might
have already raised a suspicion in Grandcourt that she had some
knowledge about them which he