Part 24 (2/2)

He used her name quite freely and without any shyness.

Alex felt more of genuine excitement, and less of wistful bewilderment, than at any moment since Noel had first asked her to marry him, as she shyly held out her left hand and the jeweller slipped the heavy, beautiful ring onto her third finger.

She had long, slim hands, the fingers rather too thin and the knuckles, though small, too prominent for beauty. But, thanks to the tyranny of old Nurse, and to Lady Isabel's insistence upon the use of nightly glycerine-and-honey, they were exquisitely soft and white.

The diamonds gleamed and flashed at her as she moved the ring up and down her finger.

”We can easily make it smaller, to fit your finger,” said the jeweller's a.s.sistant.

”It really is beautiful. Look, Francis,” said Lady Isabel.

Alex' father put up his gla.s.ses, and after inspection he also exclaimed:

”Beautiful.”

”You've such little fingers, dear, it'll have to be made smaller,” said Mrs. Cardew graciously.

”Is it to be that one, then?” Lady Isabel asked.

Alex saw that her mother's pretty, youthful-looking flush of pleasurable excitement had mounted to her face. She herself, conscious of an inexplicable oppression, felt tongue-tied, and unable to do more than repeat foolishly and lifelessly:

”Oh, it's lovely, it's perfectly lovely. It's _too_ beautiful.”

Noel, however, looked gratified at the words of admiration.

”That's the one _I_ like,” he said with emphasis. ”I knew when I saw them this morning that I liked that one much the best. We'll settle on that one, then, shall we?”

”You silly boy,” laughed his mother, ”that's for Alex to decide. Perhaps she likes something else better. Try the emerald, Alex?”

”Oh, this is lovely,” repeated Alex again, shrinking back a little.

Furious with herself, she was yet only desirous that the scene should not be prolonged any longer.

”Come and look at it in the light?” The urgent pressure of Lady Isabel's hand on her arm drew her into the embrasure of the window.

”Alex,” said her mother low and swiftly, all the time holding up her hand against the light as though studying the ring. ”Alex, you _must_ be more gracious. What _is_ the matter with you?”

”Nothing,” said Alex childishly, feeling inclined to burst into tears.

”Then for Heaven's sake do try and smile and show a _little_ enthusiasm,” said her mother with unwonted sharpness.

Alex, scarlet, and most visibly discomposed, returned to the group round the library table.

Forcing herself to make some attempt at obeying her mother's behest, she picked up the nearest jewel, two pearls in a prettily-twisted setting, and began to examine it.

”I like that design, too. It's original,” said Mrs. Cardew.

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