n the face of the woman who has taken first place in the
heart of my only boy and your only brother. As to Jay not being quite
happy, I think that is purely your imagination, Margaret. Theirs was a
love match, and they are in the height of their honey-moon. Why should
he not be happy, I ask you!"

"And I reply, mamma, that I do not know," replied Miss Margaret,
thoughtfully. "It is simply the way the expression of his face and his
manners struck me. But I must hurry down to our guests again. Will you
accompany me, mamma, that we may both be together to receive them in the
drawing-room and present them?"

The young wife stood before the long French mirror, scarcely glancing at
the superb picture she presented, as Antoinette, her maid, deftly put
the finishing touches to her toilet.

"There is only one thing needed to make my lady fairly radiant
to-night," declared Antoinette, in her low, purring voice, "and that is
the diamonds. You will let me get them all and deck you with them--twine
them about that superb white neck, those perfect arms and----"

"Hush!" exclaimed Sally, impatiently. "Didn't you hear me say I
shouldn't wear the diamonds to-night."

Jay Gardiner, entering his wife's _boudoir_ unexpectedly at that moment,
could not help overhearing her remark.

His brow darkened, and a gleam of anger shot into his blue eyes. He
stepped quickly to his wife's side.

"You _will_ wear the diamonds!" he said in the most authoritative tone
he had yet used to her. "You heard my mother express the wish that you
should do so. Moreover, it has been the custom in our family for
generations for brides to wear them at a reception given in honor of
their home-coming."

With these words, he strode into his own room--an inner apartment--and
closed the door after him with a bang.

Looking up into her young mistress's face, the shrewd Antoinette saw
that she was greatly agitated, and pale as death. But she pretended not
to notice it.

"Shall I not get the diamonds from your little hand-bag, my lady?" she
asked, eagerly.

"No; you can not get them," cried Sally, hoarsely, her teeth chattering,
her eyes fairly dilating with fright; "_they are not there!_"

CHAPTER XLVII.

Young Mrs. Gardiner stooped down until her lips were on a level with the
maid's ear.

"My diamonds are not in the little leather hand-bag, Antoinette,"
she panted. "The hour has come when I must make a confidant of you,
and ask you to help me, A