'They are very lovely; but wait a moment.'
Stella went to her room, and presently returned with the morocco case in her hand. On seeing this, Ritchie's face became very sombre.
'It was very kind of you to think of my birthday; only mind you must forget so tiresome an anniversary after I'm twenty-five. But you know I cannot take such a costly gift from you.'
'All I have is yours. Why shouldn't you take this? It's a horse-shoe, isn't it? You know that is for luck.'
He pressed the spring, and looked at the pearls.
'No; they are too superb to be given or accepted in a careless way. You must take them back, please: I did not even show them to anyone.'
'Take them back!' repeated Ritchie, his face flushing with vexation. 'What should I do with the damned thing?'
'Is it right for you to say that before me?'
'No; and I beg your pardon. But you should not vex me so much. You must keep them. Now, I've got to see my trainer at one o'clock, and after that to take a spin down to St. Kilda. But I want you to promise to come out for a ride with me to-morrow morning. I have the neatest, best-bred little colt for you that ever you saw. Now I can see you are trying to think of an excuse.'
'Indeed I am not. I shall be delighted to ride. The air here stifles one. I am only thinking how I shall be dragged to give an account of all these friendly rides and talks the next time the spirit moves you to have a "square understanding."'