LORINE
41
attempting rather to overdraw in your personal activities."
"I prefer people to speak plainly—even people who are personally unpleasant to me." She continued to smile, however, radiating femininity.
"I shall do so," he said directly, "and in return I shall require from you an equally plain and definite answer as to the remarkable and unpleasant story that was brought to me this morning. Have you or have you not come here to receive a certain jewel, an emerald, which is known as the Surakarta?"
"I have." She had stopped smiling.
"I was told that your acceptance of this jewel has a definite and prearranged significance."
"It has." Her eyes flashed at him.
"That it meant betrothal."
