e in the tired eyes. The lonely heart was
grateful for those words of encouragement.

Darsie's surmise that still more presents might arrive was justified by
the delivery of three more packets--a dainty little pearl necklace from
Mrs Percival, a turquoise and diamond ring (oh, the rapture of owning a
real ring of one's very own!) and a combination present of a jewelled
bangle from three other ladies who had benefited by the lucky find.
Thus in one short week had Darsie's jewellery risen from a total which
she herself described as consisting of "a few glass beads and a gold
safety-pin" to five separate articles of real beauty and value.

She was fond of spreading her treasures in a row on the table and gazing
at them _en bulk_, moving her head from side to side to enjoy the
flashing colours of the stones, and as she did so Lady Hayes was more
than surprised by a mercenary element which seemed out of keeping with
the girl's natural character.

"Rubies are the most valuable stones, aren't they, Aunt Maria--more
valuable than diamonds?"

"If they are of the right colour and depth, and of sufficient size."

"You said this was a good stone. It's a ripping colour. I should think
this must be a valuable stone, wouldn't you?"

"I prefer not to speculate on the subject, child."

Or again--

"I should think this watch was worth lots of money. I have just
counted, and there are forty diamonds, teenies, of course, but still--
And the enamel is so fine. My bracelet has five _big_ diamonds, and a
whole heap of pearls; and there's the necklace, too. Should you think,
Aunt Maria, that they were worth a hundred pounds put together?"

Lady Hayes laid down her knitting, and stared with stony eyes into the
girl's face.

"I have told you before, Darsie, that I excessively dislike surmises as
to the value of presents. I am surprised and disappointed to discover
signs of an avaricious and grasping nature!"

To her surprise and dismay the only reply to this serious aspersion was
a good-natured laugh.

"Goodness gracious, mercy on us!" cried Darsie audaciously. "I'm bad
enough, in all conscience, but I'm not _that_! Not a grasp in me! You
ask any one at home, and they'll tell you I'm quite stupidly generous.
It's not the money for the money's sake, I think of, but for what it
will _do_! I've no use for jewels, Aunt Maria--shan't ever have a
chance of wearing them, like Noreen and Ida. Imagine a daily governess
glitteri