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Precisely what those duties were Maria
Not until this last activity was in progress did Maria
Late that afternoon Maria
"Do sit down, my dear," the Duchess said, indicating a nearby chair. "How tired you must be, after ru
"I had a nice brisk run this morning," Maria
"It is only an inexpensive trinket; the stones are citrines and amethysts and other semiprecious gems. Like most of the pieces in this case, it is a personal memento of mine. The valuable family jewels are in the bank in London. Do you really like it? Take it, then."
She handed it to the girl, whose hand moved automatically to receive it, and continued to sort through the other ornaments, inquiring calmly, "What else would you care to have? These garnets are pretty, but perhaps they are too somber for a young girl. Ah, this is what I was searching for."
The jewel was a ring shaped like two small golden hands, the fingers curved around a central aquamarine. To Maria
"Just the color of your eyes," the Duchess said with a smile. "No" – for Maria
The stress on the word "now" had been unmistakable. Maria
"Please don't speak as if…" She could not finish the sentence.
"Now your eyes are as bright as the stone," the Duchess said, with a little laugh.
"My dear child, don't be distressed; I am not being morbid. I am merely facing a fact I have refused to face before. We are all immortal; but none of us remains on this plane forever. The ring is not valuable, but I know you will cherish it as a memento. And who knows? I may see you wear it for many years yet."
"God grant that it may be so," Maria
"Now there is one more little task you can perform for me, and then we will take a well-deserved rest. I want a list of all these trinkets. Suppose I give you the description and you write it down for me."
Maria
And why, Maria
Finally the list was finished and the Duchess dismissed her.
"Put on your prettiest dress," she instructed. "Then you may come back and sit with me while I dress. I am dining downstairs tonight. I wish to enjoy the company of my dear friends as much as possible."
Maria
Lost in her illogical but overwhelming grief, she did not hear the soft footsteps approaching till they were almost upon her.
Turning, with a choked gasp, she saw Victor standing a little distance away. The lamps in the hall had not yet been lighted and the air was shadowy with twilight; she could not make out his features. But when he spoke his voice left no doubt as to his state of mind.
"So you spoke to the old besom after all, and I've lost me position. I'll be getting no references, after what you said; what the devil will become of me now?"
Maria
"I said nothing," she protested.
"Indeed! I'll not be taking your word for that."
"I don't care whether you believe me or not. Your drunke
He came so close that she could see his face, set in an ugly sneer. She had never felt any real fear of this contemptible creature and she was not afraid now; but she was glad to see a light approach, for she was not anxious for any further unpleasantness.
"The maids are coming to light the lamps," she said. "You had better take yourself off before you get into more trouble."
With a muttered Celtic curse Victor pushed past her and walked away. Maria
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