very short story, the characters can only be sketched in miniature, but they all come into focus. Charlotte is charming and naive, Arthur priggish and pompous, and Mrs. Guy managerial and sensuous. The story ends with a "lurid" suggestion that Mrs. Guy may have obtained the necklace from Arthur in a private transaction rather than at a jewelry store. References The Tales of Henry James by Edward Wagenknecht (New York: Frederick Ungar Publishing Co., 1984) External links The New York Edition text of the story, with the author's preface (1909) Note on the texts of Paste at the Library of America web site 1899 short stories Short stories by Henry James Works originally published in Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper