“My mother loaned it to him. He admired it very much, and wished to have one made like it.”
“The Duchess was sure that some lady had given it to him as a love gage. Do you know that he has fretted himself sick about its loss?”
“Oh, no! I am sure he is not sick. My mother made light of the loss to him, though she really was very much attached to that particular ring.”
“Have I ever seen her wear it?”
“No. It was too small for her.”
“Then it was a simple souvenir?”
“It was more than that; it was her betrothal ring. Father bought it in Venice.”
“Oh!”