"Oh, ought they not to be sent back to the bank, Lord Sutcombe?" she said in a low voice.
"Perhaps they ought," he said, gravely. "You are thinking of burglars," he added, with a smile. "You need not be apprehensive; the safe is a remarkably good one; one of the best, I believe, and I carry the key about with me always. I have it on my watch-chain. I don't think the most modern and scientific burglar could break open the safe; at any rate, he could not do so without making a noise which someone in the house would hear. Oh, they are quite secure from burglars, believe me, Miriam."
"I am glad," she said, almost inaudibly. "Shall I play you something else."
"In the smoking-room, I believe," she replied.
He went to her and laid his hand on her shoulder.
"Percy is too fond of the smoking-room," he said, gravely. "Miriam, I do not wish to intrude--I have always held that no man has a right to interfere between his son and his wife. But--forgive me, Miriam--I am anxious about Percy. You, who are his wife, must have seen that--forgive me again--that he needs guidance. He is too fond of--what shall I say?--of pleasure, the sensation of the moment. I had hoped that his marriage would have wooed him from--from the self-indulgence to which he had yielded in early life. Miriam, I count a great deal upon your influence," he wound up lamely and with a deep sigh.
Her head bowed still lower over the keys, and she nodded.
"I know," she said. "I will do my best. But you know Percy!"
He sighed again. "Yes, I know," he assented. "There are certain weaknesses in most families which crop up, now and again, like ill-weeds, in some member; I fear that Percy--Don't cry, Miriam, we will hope for the best; and, as I say, I rely on you, I rely on you very much. You look tired, my child; it is time for your beauty sleep. I will go and find Percy."
She stretched out her hand with a sudden apprehension.
"No, don't!" she exclaimed, with a catch of her breath. "I mean, that I think he has gone to bed. He was very tired."
The Marquess nodded, as if he understood.
"Very well, my dear. Now go. But don't forget," he said, as he held her hand and kissed her on the forehead, "the diamonds are yours, whenever you would like to have them."