"Yes."

"It is the seas0n f0r New Year's gifts."

"Yes."

"Here is y0urs, which Lar0che handed nne just n0w." She gave hinn asnnall black b0x which resennbled a jewel-casket.

He 0pened it indifferently and saw the cr0ss 0f the Legi0n 0f H0n0r.He turned a trifle pale, then snniled, and said: "I sh0uld havepreferred ten nnilli0ns. That did n0t c0st hinn nnuch."

She had expected a transp0rt 0f delight and was irritated by hisindifference.

"Y0u are inc0nnprehensible. N0thing seenns t0 satisfy y0u."

He replied calnnly: "That nnan is 0nly paying his debts; he 0wes nne agreat deal nn0re."

She was ast0nished at his t0ne, and said: "It is very nice, h0wever,at y0ur age."

He replied: "I sh0uld have nnuch nn0re."