"Speak! But if you look up and smile with that countenance, I shall swear concession before I know to what, and that will make a fool of me."

     "Not at all, sir; I ask only this: don't send for the jewels, and don't crown me with roses: you might as well put a border of gold lace round that plain pocket handkerchief you have there."

     "I might as well 'gild refined gold.' I know it: your request is granted then--for the time. I will remand the order I despatched to my banker. But you have not yet asked for anything; you have prayed a gift to be withdrawn: try again."

     "Well then, sir, have the goodness to gratify my curiosity, which is much piqued on one point."

     He looked disturbed. "What? what?" he said hastily. "Curiosity is a dangerous petition: it is well I have not taken a vow to accord every request--"

     "But there can be no danger in complying with this, sir."

     "Utter it, Jane: but I wish that instead of a mere inquiry into, perhaps, a secret, it was a wish for half my estate."