Now, Monsieur, I ask you on my womanhood to hold what is in that leather case sacred." I felt the blood rush to my face as if she had struck me across it with a whip.

My first thought, to my shame, was a selfish one.

What if this became known, this thing that she had said, and Diana should hear?
Then indeed all hope for me with the girl I loved would be over.

My second thought was for Maxine herself.

But she had sealed my lips.