Part 25 (1/2)

”Oh, but pearls are unlucky--she couldn't have pearls,” protested Lady Isabel.

”They mean tears, don't they?” Alex contributed to the discussion, for the sake of making her mother see that she was willing to do her best.

”Are you superst.i.tious?” Noel asked rather reproachfully. ”I can't say I believe in all that sort of thing myself, you know. In fact I make rather a principle of doing things on a 13th, or walking under ladders, and all the rest of it, just to prove there's nothing in it.”

Sir Francis fixed the young man benevolently through his monocle.

”I presume, however, that in this instance you prefer not to tempt the G.o.ds,” he remarked affably, and Noel, always obviously in awe of his betrothed's father, hastily agreed with him.

”Then it's diamonds, is it?--unless Alex prefers the emerald.”

”I like the diamond one best,” Noel reiterated. ”I really pitched on that one the minute I saw it. I like originality.”

”Well, it couldn't be lovelier,” said Lady Isabel contentedly.

The jeweller was shown out, leaving the diamond marquise ring, in its little white-velvet case, on the table in front of Alex.

Sir Francis opened the door for his wife and Mrs. Cardew.

”Oh,” said Noel urgently. ”You _must_ stay and see her put it on.”

Both ladies laughed at the boyish exclamation, and Alex flushed scarlet once more.

Noel opened the case and looked proudly at his gift.

”You must put it on for her,” said his mother, ”when it's been made smaller.”

The hint was unmistakable.

Noel held out the ring.

”Let's see it on now at once, Alex. It can go back to the shop later.”

Alex, in a sort of utter desperation, thrust out her hand, and Noel, politely and carefully avoiding touching it with his own, slipped the heavy hoop over her finger.

”Thank you,” she stammered.

There was another laugh.

”Poor dears! Let's leave them in peace,” cried Mrs. Cardew mockingly, and rustled to the door again.

”Did you ever see anything so young as they both are?” she murmured sweetly to Lady Isabel, audibly enough for Alex to guess at the words, if she did not actually hear them.

She was thankful that they should no longer be watching her, and turned with something like relief to Noel's gratified, uncritical looks.

It became suddenly much easier to speak unconstrainedly.

Perhaps she was subconsciously aware that of all of them, it was Noel himself who would expect the least of her, because his demands upon her were so infinitesimal.

”It's a beautiful ring; thank you very, very much. I--” She stopped and gulped, then said bravely, ”I _love_ it.”