Cashel, as he handed Mrs.
Kennyfeck upstairs.

An exclamation of surprise and delight burst from the party at the
magnificent display which greeted them on entering the room. How
splendid--what taste--how very beautiful--so elegant--so massive--so
chaste! and fifty other encomiastic phrases.

"Very fine, indeed, ma'am," chimed in Leonard; "cost fifteen and
seven-pence the ounce throughout, and now to be sold for thirteen
shillings."

"What is the price?" said Cashel, in a low whisper.

"There are, if I remember right, sir, but I 'll ascertain in a moment,
eight thousand ounces."

"I want to know the sum in one word," rejoined Cashel, hastily.

"It will be something like three thousand seven hundred and--"

"Well, say three thousand seven hundred, it is mine."

"These ice-pails are not included, sir."

"Well, send them also, and let me know the price. How handsome that
brooch is! Let me see it on your velvet dress, Mrs. Kennyfeck. Yes, that
really looks well. Pray let it remain there."

"Oh, I could not think of such a thing! It is far too costly. It is the
most splendid--"

"You 'll not refuse me, I hope, a first request, madam," said he, with a
half-offended air.

Mrs. Kennyfeck, really overwhelmed by the splendor of the gift, complied
with a reluctant shame.

"These are the diamonds that were ordered for the bride," said Leonard,
opening a jewel-casket, and exhibiting a most magnificent suite.

"Oh, how sorry she must be!" cried Miss Kennyfeck, as she surveyed the
glittering mass.

"If she loved him," murmured Olivia, in a low whisper, as if to
herself, but overheard by Cashel, who kept his eyes towards her with an
expression of deep interest.

"If the gentleman stood in need of such a set," said Leonard, "I am
empowered to dispose of them at the actual cost. It is old Mr. Fenchurch
who suffers all the loss, and he can very well afford it. As a wedding
present, sir--"

"But I am not going to be married, that I know of," said Cashel,
smiling.

"Perhaps not this week, sir, or the next," rejoined the self-sufficient
jeweller; "but, of course, that time will come. Two thousand pounds for
such a suite is positively getting them a present, to break them up and
reset them."

"How shocking!" cried Miss Kennyfeck.

"Yes, madam; but what is to be done? They only suit large fortunes in
their present form; these, unfortunately, are very rare with us."

"A quarter past three!" exclaimed Cashel; "we sha