chapter 13.

a lover’s trick

one day, looking in at his jeweller’s, to see some models of a shield and vases which were executing for him in gold, the young duke met lady aphrodite and the fitz-pompeys. lady aphrodite was speaking to the jeweller about her diamonds, which were to be reset for her approaching fête. the duke took the ladies upstairs to look at the models, and while they were intent upon them and other curiosities, his absence for a moment was unperceived. he ran downstairs and caught mr. garnet.

‘mr. garnet! i think i saw lady aphrodite give you her diamonds?’ ‘yes, your grace.’

‘are they valuable?’ in a careless tone. ‘hum! pretty stones; very pretty stones, indeed. few baronets’ ladies have a prettier set; worth perhaps a 1000l.; say 1200l. lady aphrodite grafton is not the duchess of st. james, you know,’ said mr. garnet, as if he anticipated furnishing that future lady with a very different set of brilliants.

‘mr. garnet, you can do me the greatest favour.’ ‘your grace has only to command me at all times.’

‘well, then, in a word, for time presses, can you contrive, without particularly altering — that is, without altering the general appearance of these diamonds — can you contrive to change the stones, and substitute the most valuable that you have; consistent, as i must impress upon you, with maintaining their general appearance as at present?’

‘the most valuable stones,’ musingly repeated mr. garnet; ‘general appearance as at present? your grace is aware that we may run up some thousands even in this set?’

‘i give you no limit.’

‘but the time,’ rejoined mr. garnet. ‘they must be ready for her ladyship’s party. we shall be hard pressed. i am afraid of the time.’

‘cannot the men work all night? pay them anything.’

‘it shall be done, your grace. your grace may command me in anything.’

‘this is a secret between us, garnet. your partners ———’

‘shall know nothing. and as for myself, i am as close as an emerald in a seal-ring.’