She fumbled again under her pillows and to Carina’s astonishment brought out a case of blue velvet worn thin at the corners.

She held it out to Carina who took it from her, pressed the snap and lifted back the lid.

Carina gave a little gasp of amazement, for inside, lying on a bed of velvet, was the most magnificent diamond necklace she had ever seen.

“Do you like it?” the Dowager asked.

“It’s wonderful,” Carina said. “I cannot take this!”

“Take it? Of course you can take it,” the Dowager retorted. “It is mine to give. Nothing to do with the Lynches, their jewels are at the bank as I have no occasion to wear them. But that and what I am wearing now are my own. I intended to give it to you as a present for having ruined Sir Percy, now I will make it a betrothal present because you are to marry my son.”

“But I am not!” Carina expostulated. “Oh, please understand! I love Justin and I believe he loves me – but he has said that he cannot ask me to be his wife and I know that it must be the truth. I beg of you not to mention it to him – not to let him think – ”

“All right, all right,” the Dowager interrupted. “I will spare your maidenly blushes. But you will take the present for trying to rid the world of a villain who should by rights be dead by now.

“Well – thank you,” Carina said. “I never thought I would own anything so magnificent – but I cannot think when I will wear it.

She paused a moment and a hint of mischief crept into her voice.

“I think your son’s guests would be slightly suspicious of the morals of a Governess who appeared so magnificently jewelled.”

The Dowager twinkled back at her.

“Wear it and be damned to them!”

“I will not promise to do that,” Carina answered, “but thank you – thank you more than I can ever say.”

She looked down at the velvet box, feeling that this was something she had never anticipated when she had come nervously into the room. .

Suddenly the Dowager put out her hand and touched Carina on the arm.

“Listen, girl,” she said. “You have told me you love my son. Promise me that when I am gone you will fight for him.”

“But of course,” Carina answered.

“He will need it,” the Dowager added and closed her eyes.

Carina knew that she was dismissed and with bewildered thoughts went upstairs to the nursery.

Dipa was playing happily with one of the younger housemaids and was not in the least interested in her return.

Then, because there was nothing for her to do, she went downstairs, still holding the box in her hand.

Newman was in the hall and she asked him,

“Is his Lordship anywhere about?”

“He’s in the library,” Newman answered.