the
ornaments which Mrs. Montague wore, "you will pardon me, I am sure,
if I tell you that you, also, have some very fine stones. I consider
myself a connoisseur regarding diamonds and capable of judging."

"Yes," Mrs. Montague quietly responded, "I have some choice ones, and I
am very fond of diamonds; but I have never seen any one, unless it was an
actress, with such a profusion of them as that lady. I do not think I
should care to wear so many at one time, even if I possessed them."

"No, it hardly seems in good taste," Mr. Palmer replied, then added: "My
son is beckoning me; will you excuse me for a moment?"

"Your _son_!" exclaimed the lady, with a light laugh and an arch look.
"Surely, Mr. Palmer, _you_ cannot have a son old enough to mingle in
society like this?"

"Indeed I have, and you can see for yourself--he is standing yonder by
that large easel," the gentleman returned, laughing also, and evidently
well pleased to be regarded younger than he really was.

"I must confess my surprise," said the charming widow, as she darted a
curious glance at the young man, "but since you assert it I must not
doubt your word, and I will say, also, that you have every reason to be
proud of your son. But--I will not detain you," she added, bowing
gracefully; "only I trust that I may have the pleasure of meeting you
again."

"Thank you, madame; you honor me," the diamond merchant replied, as he,
too, bowed, and then passed on.

"Merrill said truly," he muttered, as he made his way through the crowd
toward Ray; "she is certainly a very charming woman; I don't wonder that
she is a favorite in society. Well, what is it, Ray, my boy?" he asked,
as he reached his son's side.

"Did you notice that woman who entered the room a moment or two ago?" the
young man asked, in a low tone.

"The one wearing so many diamonds?"

"Yes; and, father, I believe there is some of our property about her."

"I thought of it, too, Ray, but only because she wore so many stones, I
suppose. We surely have no right to suspect her of being the thief," said
Mr. Palmer, gravely.

"Perhaps not; but I did, all the same."

"She does not look at all like that Mrs. Vanderbeck," Mr. Palmer
remarked, as he again singled out the woman, and observed her closely.

"I don't know; her form is not unlike; and put a red wig on her, she
might pass--"

"Pshaw, Ray," interrupted his father, "you are letting your imagination
run away with you; she cannot be t