Lizzie with her fresh
nightcap and her lace handkerchief, pale, and with her eyes just
glittering with tears, was very pretty.
"Didn't somebody once give some one a garment which scorched him up when
he wore it--some woman who sent it because she loved the man so much?"
"The shirt, you mean, which Deianira sent to Hercules. Yes, Hercules was a
good deal scorched."
"And that necklace, which my husband gave me because he loved me so well,
has scorched me horribly. It has nearly killed me. It has been like the
white elephant which the Eastern king gives to his subject when he means
to ruin him. Only poor Florian didn't mean to hurt me. He gave it all in
love. If these people bring a lawsuit against me, Frank, you must manage
it for me."
"There will be no lawsuit. Your brother-in-law will stop it.'r
"I wonder who will really get the diamonds after all, Frank? They were
very valuable. Only think that the ten thousand pounds should disappear in
such a way!" The subject was a very dangerous one, but there was a
fascination about it which made it impossible for her to refrain from it.
"A dishonest dealer in diamonds will probably realise the plunder--after
some years.
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