The necessity for
my contemplated journey no longer exists."
There were expressions of surprise to which she put an end with the
words, accompanied by a charming smile: "Frankly, messieurs, I am
afraid you will have to make allowances for the traditional
inconsistency of my sex: I have simply changed my mind."
There was nothing more to be said. Openly more than a little mystified,
the men withdrew.
The smile with which she dismissed them lingered, delightful and
enigmatic, as Eve recognised the stupefaction with which Duchemin moved
to remonstrate with her.
"Madame!" he cried in a low voice of wonder and protest--"why did you
do that? Why let them go without telling them--?"
"I must have had a reason, don't you think, Monsieur Duchemin?"
"I don't understand you, madame. You treat the loss of jewels as if it
must be a secret private to ourselves, to you and to me!"
"Possibly that is my wish, monsieur." He gave a gesture of
bewilderment. "Perhaps," she continued, meeting his blank stare with
eyes in which amusement gave place to a look almost apologetic yet
utterly kind--"perhaps I have more faith in you.
Pages:
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141