"And, Rodney, papa understand that you are coming into his business; is that what you understand?"
"Rather! You bet it is, if he'll have me. Do you think I'd throw away a chance like that?"
"Nothing that may be in your uncle's will will make any difference?"
"You goose! What do you suppose will be there? The probability is that there will be nothing of the slightest interest to me--at the most some trivial legacy--a hundred, fifty, five-and-twenty pounds! But let me tell you this, that in the present state of my exchequer even the latter sum will be a godsend. You don't know what it is to be in a chronic state of impecuniosity--a little millionaire like you!"
"You don't appreciate the situation; you really don't. Entirely between us, I wonder that I ever had the courage--the cheek!--to tell you how much I love you; how dear to me is the ground under your small feet; how I long to have you in my arms--you, with the Bank of England at your back; and I! But--Cæsar's ghost!--what am I dreaming about? The sight of you, the touch of you, the sound of you, has so--so got into the very bones of me that I'd clean forgotten. Why--Stella!--what's this?"
He took a small, round, leather-covered box out of his waistcoat pocket.
"My dear Rodney--how should I know what it is?"
As she looked at the outside of the box her eyes began to sparkle--as if she did not know!
"My experience!--silly! I thought everybody knew on which hand the engagement finger was--there!--that is the finger!"
She held out to him a finger which, if it was small, was slim and daintily fashioned. He bent and kissed it.
"Dear digit!--salutation! Now, you unclothed midget, I'll clothe you with this ring."
"Isn't that wonderful, when I only guessed?"
"It's only a poor little ring--a love token, to mark you as my own--that's all. But one day I'll give you the finest ring that money can buy, and you can put it in the place of this."
"As if I ever would--or could! Rodney, this is the most beautiful ring I have ever seen--ever, ever, ever! And it always will be the most beautiful ring in the world--to me. No other will ever take its place."
Her voice fell as she moved a little closer to him.
"I shall hope to be still wearing it when I am lying in my grave."