"I know! I know!" she moaned. "Oh, if you'd only give it up! Give it up
this time, only this one time to please me, Ted, dear."
He shook his head.
"I'd do anything to please you, but I'm not alone in this plant, you
know; there's others; and I can't go back on my pals; so you mustn't go
back on me."
He spoke in the tone which the man who has the woman in his power can
use so effectually; then his voice grew softer, and he stroked her cheek
gently.
"And think of what this means if we pull this off, Fan! No more dodging
and hiding, no more risks of chokee and a 'life' for me, and no more
slaving and lady's-maiding for you! We'll be off together to some
foreign clime, as the poet calls it; and, with plenty of the ready, I
fancy you'll cut a dash as Mrs. Ted."
It was the one bait which he knew would be irresistible. She caught her
breath, and, pressing closer to him, looked up into his eyes eagerly.
"You mean it, Ted? You won't deceive me again? You'll keep your word?"
"Honor bright!" he responded. "Why shouldn't I? You know I'm fond of
you. I'd have married you months ago if I'd struck a piece of luck like
this; but what was the use of marrying when I had to--work, and there
was the chance of my being collared any day of the week? No! But I
promise you that if we pull this off, I am going to settle down; I shall
be glad enough to do it. We'll have a little cottage, or a flat on the
Continong, eh, Fan? Is the countess going to send the diamonds back to
the bank to-morrow?"
He put the question abruptly, but in a low and impressive voice.
Burden shook her head.
"No," she replied reluctantly. "I--I asked her maid; they were talking
about them just before I came out. Everybody was talking about them at
the ball, and her ladyship's maid gives herself airs on account of
them."
"Gases about them? Very natural. And she says?"
"There's a dinner party the night after next, and the countess thought
it wasn't worth while sending them to the bank for one day. She's going
to keep them in the safe in her room."
Ted's eyes glistened, and he nodded.
"Who keeps the key of the safe, Fan?" he asked; and though they were far
from any chance of listeners, his voice dropped to a whisper.