"I thought at first of returning it anonymously, but I immediately abandoned that idea as too dangerous. Then I thought of dropping it into the river. “Precisely, monsieur,” replied Monte Cristo with one of those smiles that a painter could never represent or a physiologist analyze.
“It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had many disagreements about me. It occurred to me, however, that if by any chance the police discovered that the necklace had been given to me, and I couldn't produce it if I were questioned, I should be in a worse fix still.
So I tried to think of a safe hiding-place where I could lay my hands on it in case of necessity. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that there should be a marriage between us.
I could think of none. Time went on, and before I had decided what to do with the thing my man came along and said it was time to catch the boat train. James and I have always loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young and has seen very little of life yet, and—and—well, he naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet.
So there were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them.” So in the end I put the necklace into my pocket and took it to France with me. It seemed as safe there as anywhere else for the time being.