"Thank you," said Alvina.
The young men were watching. They seemed indifferent. Ciccio turned aside, with his faint, stupid smile.
In the morning Madame gave Alvina all her belongings, from the little safe she called her bank.
"There is the money—so—and so—and so—that is correct. Please count it once more!—" Alvina counted it and kept it clutched in her hand. "And there are your rings, and your chain, and your locketsee—all—everything—! But not the brooch. Where is the brooch? Here! Shall I give it back, hein?"
"I gave it to you," said Alvina, offended. She looked into Madame's black eyes. Madame dropped her eyes.
"Yes, you gave it. But I thought, you see, as you have now not much mo-oney, perhaps you would like to take it again—"
"No, thank you," said Alvina, and she went away, leav
