Marjorie Bowen

“ For the sake of George Linton, she was prepared to champion his wife against all the smiles and sneers of London society.
Grace Heriot answered lightly, and, glancing at George with a simpering air of possession, told Lady Dorothy that he and she were old sweethearts, and had known each other from childhood in their native place in Northumberland.
"You must be very proud to see the position Mr. Linton holds to-day," said Lady Dorothy, "very proud and very happy, Miss Heriot. It is seldom such fine work so soon achieves success." ”

“ Love must be his motive. There could be no other. Love! He, the man of such taste, discernment, refinement of perception and judgment—he had been swept off his feet by this comeliness of a milkmaid, this passing charm of country freshness!
Lady Dorothy turned into a little cabinet at the back of the studio, where Linton worked and kept his precious gems. ”

“ Grace Heriot broke out into violent defence of herself.
"Forsake! It is all very well to use fine words, my lady, but he is ruined and an accused thief, and he can't hold me to my promise; and if something can't be done, and the diamond isn't found, we shall go home. My people have always been honest, and I won't drag them into disgrace!"
Lady Dorothy stared at her in utter amazement. ”

“ One especially caught her fancy as her preoccupied glance was held by it—a small egg of silver gilt, the front finely carved into the likeness of a mask, with smoothly banded hair and sleepy eyes and smiling lips.
"Like me!" she thought. "My face is but a mask gilt with smiles. ”

“ And as she was a great lady as well as a beauty, an heiress, and one free to dispose of herself and her money, she had more flatterers than enough pressing about her, and every other woman in the room envying her, as how could they help envying one who had birth and loveliness, wealth and position, and the world at her feet? ”

“ What do you call it in a few years' time, when the prettiness and the love have worn away, like paint off a new toy, and the prosperous husband is ashamed of the silly, simple wife, and she is neglected and shrewish at home, while he is enchained to some woman of wit and culture? ”

“ I will take this in remembrance of the day I heard of his betrothal."
The glass door of the case was unlocked. She took out the gilt mask and put it in her pocket.
The assistant returned. The jewels were not ready.
"It is no matter," said the lady. "Send them when they are completed. I have taken a little silver gilt ornament, tell Mr. Linton."
She took up her muff and fur scarf, and left the room and the house, descending with the November twilight that deepened over Leicester Fields, and entering her chariot, which waited, with other chariots and chairs, before George Linton's door. ”