the way."

"May I?"

"You may, and must. There--and there--and there. Oh dear, what nice
things good luck and happiness are, and how sweet to bring them for
once."

Upon this Phoebe and she had a nice little cry together, and Mrs.
Staines went off refreshed thereby, and as gay as a lark, pointing slyly
at the door, and making faces to Phoebe that she knew he was there, and
she only retired, out of her admirable discretion, that they might enjoy
the diamond together.

When she was gone, Reginald, whose eye and ear had been at the keyhole,
alternately gloating on the face and drinking the accents of the only
woman he had ever really loved, came out, looking pale, and strangely
disturbed; and sat down at table, without a word.

Phoebe came back to him, full of the diamond. "Did you hear what she
said, my dear? It is a diamond; it is worth a hundred and fifty pounds
at least. Why, what ails you? Ah! to be sure! you know that lady."

"I have cause to know her. Cursed jilt!"

"You seem a good deal put out at the sight of her."

"It took me by surprise, that is all."

"It takes me by surprise too. I thought you were cured. I thought MY
turn had come at last."

Reginald met this in sullen silence. Then Phoebe was sorry she had said
it; for, after all, it wasn't the man's fault if an old sweetheart had
run into the room, and given him a start. So she made him some fresh
tea, and pressed him kindly to try her home-made bread and butter.

My lord relaxed his frown and consented, and of course they talked
diamond.

He told her, loftily, he must take a studio, and his sitters must come
to him, and must no longer expect to be immortalized for one pound. It
must be two pounds for a bust, and three pounds for a kitcat.

"Nay, but, my dear," said Phoebe, "they will pay no more because you
have a diamond."

"Then they will have to go unpainted," said Mr. Falcon.

This was intended for a threat. Phoebe instinctively felt that it might
not be so received; she counselled moderation. "It is a great thing to
have earned a diamond," said she: "but 'tis only once in a life. Now,
be ruled by me: go on just as you are. Sell the diamond, and give me the
money to keep for you. Why, you might add a little to it, and so would
I, till we made it up two hundred pounds. And if you could only show two
hundred pounds you had made and laid by, father would let us marry,
and I might keep this shop--it pays well, I can tell you--and keep m