I don't recall ever feeling as exhausted as I suddenly felt then. I melted unobtrusively from the scene and got ready for bed, almost throwing the pearls down onto my dressing table, having told Bridget not to wait up. I wouldn't take them with me. I wouldn't take anything he had given me. I wouldn't let him support us, even indirectly. And I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing that I wanted anything he had to offer. 

 In the morning, the pearls were gone. At first I didn't notice, I merely sat in bed and watched as Bridget put away my cast of finery and scolded me gently for my carelessness. 

 'At least you took better care of those lovely pearls though. You noticed I left the jewel box unlocked for you?'

 '...

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