e Scotts, wi' their tartans and bag-pipes, come to
do ye honor!" said the housekeeper, as she held the tray to her mistress.

Miss Levison drank the coffee, returned the cup, and then inquired:

"Where is Janet? I sent her with a message; she should have returned by
this time."

"Ou, aye, sae she should. She's clacking her clavvers wi' yon lad frae
the 'Hereward Arm.' But here she is now, me young leddy," answered the
housekeeper, as the maid entered the room and placed in her mistress'
hand a note and a small parcel, tied up in white paper with narrow white
ribbon, and sealed with the Hereward crest.

Miss Levison opened the note and read:

"HEREWARD ARMS INN, Tuesday Morning.

"I greet you, my only beloved, on this our bridal morning--the
commencement of a long and happy union for both of us! Yes, a long union,
for it will stretch into eternity, and a happy one, for come what will,
we shall be happy in each other. I send you the richest jewel that has
ever been in our possession, the only one which has survived the wreck of
our fortunes. It has been preserved more on account of its traditionary
interest than for its intrinsic value. Tradition tells us that at the
taking of Jerusalem, in the first crusade, this jewel was snatched from
the turban of Saladin, the Sultan, in single combat, by our wild
crusading ancestor, Ranulph d' Arondelle. It adorned his own hemlet at
the siege of St. Jean d' Acre, some years later. In short, it has been
handed down from father to son through six centuries and sixteen
generations. It has "in the thickest carnage blazed" on battle-fields,
and in the maddest merriment flashed in festive scenes. Yet it is an
offering all too poor for my great love to make, or your great worth to
receive. But take it as the best I have to give.

"ARONDELLE."

She read this note with tearful eyes, roseate cheeks' and smiling lips.
And then she untied the white ribbon and opened the white paper. It first
disclosed a golden casket about four inches square, richly chased and
bearing the Hereward arms set in small precious stones. The tiny key was
in the lock. She opened it and found, lying on a bed of rich white satin,
a large, burning, blazing ruby heart--the famous ruby of the Hereward,
said to be the largest in the world. Miss Levison had read of this jewel
as one of the most valuable among precious stones. She had heard also,
what evidently the young marquis did not think worth while to tell her in