And at last--he said it.
He was a prince.
He possessed pearls.
He--loved--her!....
* * * * *
What did it matter?
Where was the harm?
What was a--husband?
What was--anything?
The Rajah held her hand in his.
There were pearls in the rings on his fingers.
The Rajah put his arm around her waist.
There were pearls in the bracelets on his wrists.
The Rajah crushed her to his breast.
There were pearls in the chains around his neck....
* * * * *
Paula returned to her husband.
She wore a string of pearls around her throat.
She gave her husband an explanation.
She said that she had bought the pearls in a shop.
She told him that they were imitation.
And he believed her.
And she despised him for it.
Poor fool!
He didn’t know the value of pearls.
But the Rajah of Raboda did.
And so did Paula!...