"This is foolery," said Grandcourt, with undertoned disgust. It was too irritating that his indulgence of Lydia had given her a sort of mastery over him in spite of her dependent condition.
She did not speak. He also rose now, but stood leaning against the mantelpiece with his side-face towards her.
"The diamonds must be delivered to me before my marriage," he began again.
"What is your wedding-day?"
"The tenth. There is no time to be lost."
"And where do you go after the marriage?"
He did not reply except by looking more sullen. Presently he said, "You must appoint a day before then, to get them from the bank and meet me—or somebody else I will commission:—it's a great nuisance. Mention a day."
"No; I shall not do that. They shall be delivered to her safely. I shall keep my word."
"Do you mean to say," said Grandcourt, just audibly, turning to face her, "that you will not do as I tell you?"
"Yes, I mean that," was the answer that leaped out, while her eyes flashed close to him. The poor creature was immediately conscious that if her words had any effect on her own lot, the effect
