connection with its history, namely, that it had been held as an amulet
of such power that it was believed the ducal house of Hereward would
never be without a male heir as long as it possessed that priceless ruby
heart. Miss Levison supposed this to be the reason why it had been
preserved by the old duke from the total wreck of his fortune. And the
marquis had given it to her! Well, that was not giving it out of the
family, since she was to be his wife. While offering it he had
undervalued the royal gift. But how highly she appreciated it, rating
it far above all the other jewels that blazed upon her table.

"And to think I should have had such an evil dream about him, and even
suffered myself to be troubled by it!" she said, pressing his note to her
lips.

Then she shivered so hardly that her old housekeeper exclaimed:

"Me dear young leddy, ye hae surely taken cauld. Let me order a fire
kindled here."

"Nonsense, Mrs. Ross--a fire on this warm summer morning? I could not
bear it. Besides if I shiver with cold one moment, I glow with heat the
next," said Miss Levison, smiling.

"Ay; I am sair afeard ye's gaun to be ill, wi' all thae shivers and
glows," replied the dame, shaking her head.

"Nonsense again, Mrs. Ross, dear woman. I am well enough. Now, Janet, did
you tell his lordship's messenger to wait?"

"Yes, Miss."

Miss Levison drew a little writing-stand to her side, opened the desk,
took out materials and penned the following note:

"LONE CASTLE, Tuesday.

"MY MOST BELOVED AND HONORED: Your right royal gift is beyond all
price for richness, beauty, traditional interest, and symbolism, and as
such I shall hold it above all other gifts, and cherish it to the end of
my life. But it is not only to speak of your invaluable gift I write; it
is also to ask you to do a strange thing to please me this morning. It is
now eight o'clock. We are appointed to meet at the church at eleven. Will
you meet me _here_ first at half-past nine? I wish to tell you
something before we go to the altar. It is nothing important that I have
to tell you--you will probably only laugh at it; but I must get it off my
mind; for it weighs there like a sin. Come and receive my little
confession, and give absolution to YOUR OWN SALOME."

She enveloped and directed this note, and gave it to Janet, with orders
to hand it to Lord Arondelle's man.

When the girl had left the room, Miss Levison turned to the housekeeper
and inquired: