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see him safely back to the Pension Beaurepas。 We went across the
Treille and down the Corraterie； out of which we turned into the Rue
du Rhone。 In this latter street； as all the world knows； are many of
those brilliant jewellers' shops for which Geneva is famous。 I
always admired their glittering windows； and never passed them
without a lingering glance。 Even on this occasion； pre…occupied as I
was with my impending departure； and with my companion's troubles； I
suffered my eyes to wander along the precious tiers that flashed and
twinkled behind the huge clear plates of glass。 Thanks to this
inveterate habit； I made a discovery。 In the largest and most
brilliant of these establishments I perceived two ladies； seated
before the counter with an air of absorption； which sufficiently
proclaimed their identity。 I hoped my companion would not see them；
but as we came abreast of the door； a little beyond； we found it open
to the warm summer air。 Mr。 Ruck happened to glance in； and he
immediately recognised his wife and daughter。 He slowly stopped；
looking at them； I wondered what he would do。 The salesman was
holding up a bracelet before them； on its velvet cushion； and
flashing it about in an irresistible manner。
Mr。 Ruck said nothing； but he presently went in； and I did the same。
〃It will be an opportunity；〃 I remarked； as cheerfully as possible；
〃for me to bid good…bye to the ladies。〃
They turned round when Mr。 Ruck came in； and looked at him without
confusion。 〃Well； you had better go home to breakfast；〃 remarked his
wife。 Miss Sophy made no remark； but she took the bracelet from the
attendant and gazed at it very fixedly。 Mr。 Ruck seated himself on
an empty stool and looked round the shop。
〃Well； you have been here before；〃 said his wife； 〃you were here the
first day we came。〃
Miss Ruck extended the precious object in her hands towards me。
〃Don't you think that sweet？〃 she inquired。
I looked at it a moment。 〃No； I think it's ugly。〃
She glanced at me a moment； incredulous。 〃Well； I don't believe you
have any taste。〃
〃Why； sir； it's just lovely；〃 said Mrs。 Ruck。
〃You'll see it some day on me； any way；〃 her daughter declared。
〃No； he won't；〃 said Mr。 Ruck； quietly。
〃It will be his own fault； then；〃 Miss Sophy observed。
〃Well； if we are going to Chamouni we want to get something here；〃
said Mrs。 Ruck。 〃We may not have another chance。〃
Mr。 Ruck was still looking round the shop； whistling in a very low
tone。 〃We ain't going to Chamouni。 We are going to New York city；
straight。〃
〃Well； I'm glad to hear that；〃 said Mrs。 Ruck。 〃Don't you suppose we
want to take something home？〃
〃If we are going straight back I must have that bracelet；〃 her
daughter declared； 〃Only I don't want a velvet case； I want a satin
case。〃
〃I must bid you good…bye；〃 I said to the ladies。 〃I am leaving
Geneva in an hour or two。〃
〃Take a good look at that bracelet； so you'll know it when you see
it；〃 said Miss Sophy。
〃She's bound to have something；〃 remarked her mother； almost proudly。
Mr。 Ruck was still vaguely inspecting the shop； he was still
whistling a little。 〃I am afraid he is not at all well；〃 I said；
softly； to his wife。
She twisted her head a little； and glanced at him。
〃Well； I wish he'd improve！〃 she exclaimed。
〃A satin case； and a nice one！〃 said Miss Ruck to the shopman。
I bade Mr。 Ruck good…bye。 〃Don't wait for me；〃 he said； sitting
there on his stool； and not meeting my eye。 〃I've got to see this
thing through。〃
I went back to the Pension Beaurepas； and when； an hour later； I left
it with my luggage； the family had not returned。
End