"How did you find the time?"

"I had plenty of time last night, after we went to bed and you kept me awake by doing your grand combined kicking and contortion act. You take it from me--every time you get one of your restless fits, you smash all world's records for landing sudden and violent kicks in unexpected places."

f.a.n.n.y laughed good-humoredly.

"Can I help it if I'm a little nervous once in a while?" she said.

"Of course not, and I don't blame you for it, but that doesn't give me back my sleep, does it?" Taking out his watch he added: "I've got to skin. I'll be a bit late as it is and McLoughlin's sure to be there waiting for me with a few pleasant words."

He stooped to kiss his wife.

"Good-bye, dear!" he said. "Get home early so as to be sure the dinner's all right, won't you?"

"Yes, dear."

Hurriedly he went on:

"If it's O.K. about the car, have Virgie's chauffeur drive you home and leave it in front of the building where the neighbors can get a peek at it. I'll arrange about the garage when I get back."

"Very well."

Waving his hand, he made his way toward the door:

"Then good-bye. If we don't get that machine now after it being promised to us, after all the figuring I've done on it, it'll be h.e.l.l, that's what it'll be--just h.e.l.l!"

He disappeared and f.a.n.n.y rose from her seat to go in search of her sister. She looked for her in the adjoining room but she was not there. Wondering where she could be, she went out into the hall and called:

"Virgie--Virgie!"

Virginia entered from the bedroom where she had been busy packing some things. Running up to her, f.a.n.n.y said quickly:

"You know I didn't mean what I said about leaving him."

Virginia looked steadily at her without answering. There was a moment's pause during which each sister looked at the other, as if trying to read her most secret thoughts. Finally, the younger one said:

"You didn't really?"

"No--honest, I didn't. I don't think I could leave him, no matter what he did. I love him! And you love Robert, don't you?"

"Yes."

"Well, a woman couldn't deliberately leave the man she loves, could she?"

Virginia made no reply and, anxiously, f.a.n.n.y demanded again.

"Could she?"

Virginia nodded. Slowly she said:

"I think a woman might--and be justified in it."

"Even if she loved him?"

"No matter how much she loved him."

f.a.n.n.y was about to protest when there came a knock at the door, and Josephine entered, laden with jewel boxes of all sorts and sizes.

"These are all but the ruby cross, Madame. That is at the jeweller's.

John showed me the receipt for it."

"Yes, I remember," said Virginia hurriedly.

The girl placed the boxes on the table near the other jewels.

"Aren't they beautiful!" exclaimed f.a.n.n.y enthusiastically. Quickly she asked: "Which is your favorite?"

"The pearls," replied Virginia quietly.

Going to the table, the elder sister opened some of the boxes and took the jewels in her hand admiringly.

"They must have cost a fortune!" she went on ecstatically. "This is the first time I've seen them together. They're simply great!"

Josephine turned to address her mistress.

"Will Madame go out this morning?"

Virginia nodded.

"Probably."

"What furs will Madame wear?"

"None. Bring my cloth coat and the hat that goes with it."

"Oui, Madame."

f.a.n.n.y was still standing spellbound before the table, feasting her eyes on the valuable collection of costly gems.

"If these were mine," she went on enthusiastically, "I'd have them out and count 'em up every day. They'd have no chance to get away from me!

My, but they're stunning! Robert's very good to you, isn't he?"

"Very," replied her sister dryly.

Picking up a diamond solitaire ring and examining it, f.a.n.n.y asked:

"This was his first present, wasn't it?"

"Yes."