e thing on earth which I
love it is a ring? And _such_ a ring! You wicked boy, I do believe
you have spent a fortune on it." Yet in reality she hardly guesses the
full amount of the generous sum that has been so willingly expended on
that glittering hoop.

"I am glad you like it," he says, radiant at her praise. "I think it is
pretty."

"'Pretty' is a poor word. It is far too handsome. I would scold you for
your extravagance, but I have lost the power just now. And do you
know," raising her soft, flushed face to her lover,--"I never had a
ring before in my life, except a very old-fashioned one of my mother's,
an ancient square, you know, with hair in the centre, and all around it
big pearls, that are anything but pearly now, as they have grown quite
black. Thank you a thousand times."

She slips her arm around his neck and presses her lips warmly,
unbashfully to his cheek. Be it ever so cold, so wanting in the shyness
that belongs to conscious tenderness, it is still the very first caress
she has ever given him of her own accord. A little thrill runs through
him, and a mad longing to catch her in his arms, as he feels the sweet,
cool touch; yet he restrains himself. Some innate sense of honor, born
on the occasion, a shrinking lest she should deem him capable of
claiming even so natural a return for his gift, compels him to forego
his desire. It is noticeable, too, that he does not even place the ring
upon her engaged finger, as most men would have done. It is a bauble
meant to gratify her: why make it a fetter, be it ever so light a one?

"I am amply repaid," he says, gently. "Was there ever such luck as your
getting that invitation this morning? I wonder what could have put it
into the old fellow's head to invite you? Are you glad you are going?"

"I am. I almost think it is mean of me to be so glad, but I can't help
it. Is my grandfather so very terrific?"

"He is all of that," says Luttrell, "and a good deal more. If I were an
American I would have no scruples about calling him a 'darned old
cuss': as it is, I will smother my feelings, and let you discover his
failings for yourself."

"If he is as bad as you say, I wonder he gets any one to visit him."

"He does, however. We all go,--generally the same lot every year;
though I have been rather out of it for a time, on account of my short
stay in India. He has first-class shooting; and when he is not in the
way, it is pretty jolly. He hates old people, and n