The Great Pearl Secret

								

the pearls were and couldn't find out.  That was two months ago.  But
after six weeks in a cell, Mayen was released by order of Lenine; and
it was expected in Paris that he and the rest would be back in France
by now.
"We were there ourselves--you and your uncle in Paris, and I at G.H.Q.
you know, till just ten days ago--though it seems longer.  And I was
hoping against hope that Mayen might turn up.  I wouldn't say a word to
you, for I didn't want you to be disappointed.  And even as late as
last night I wouldn't quite give up.  Your Cousin Jack Manners, who is
the best fellow on earth, has been watching things for me in Paris.
He'd heard that Mayen had quietly sneaked back, and hadn't let any one
know, in order to get a good rest cure.  But this turns out to be a
canard.  Now you see why I had to go out and find you a 'fairing' as
the Scots say.  I couldn't afford anything worth while unless I
borrowed; so I thought things over, and decided that you'd prefer a
little remembrance of our wedding, bought with my own 'pocket-money,'
and supplemented by a souvenir of my mother.  Am I right?"
"Absolutely!  Whatever you give me, I shall love it," said Juliet.  "I
wouldn't care if it cost sixpence.  It's from you; that makes the
value for me.  But, Pat, I can't bear to think of your being poor!  You
won't be after to-morrow.  I haven't liked to talk of such things, but
I told Uncle Henry I wanted a million dollars settled on you, to use as
you pleased.  Surely he did what I----"
"He did, my child.  But I 'wasn't taking any'.  I meant to tell you
this myself when we were old married people--a week after the wedding,
let's say!  But since you've brought up the subject, we might as well
have it out.  Your money is going to restore Claremanagh, and the jolly
old London house in Queen Anne's gate that my great-grandfather bought.
I don't so much mind that.  You'll enjoy the places.  And it won't be
till the tenants there turn out.  I'm to have a screw from your uncle
for pretending to work in the S. P. Phayre Bank: a hundred dollars a
week to begin with (he offered more, but I wouldn't have it), about a
fiftieth part of which I'll really earn.  But even that will bring me
nearly a hundred pounds a month, so I shan't disgrace my wife by
wearing paper collars or elastic-sided boots, or not getting my hair
cut.  Then, as my earning power increases, so will my pay.  Besides,
your noble guardian wants to buy my place at Maidenhead, when it's
free, next spring.  He'll give sixty thousand pounds, which will leave
me fifty when the mortgage is paid off; and Mr. Phayre will advise me
about investments.  So you see, you're not marrying a pauper after all,
my good girl!  As for the pearls, it's only a delay--an annoying delay.
When Mayen really does get back to Paris, he'll find a letter from me
containing a post-dated cheque for the two hundred thousand francs, and
interest.  That will come out of the fifty thousand pounds, and still