It is a wonderful thing that rarity should add so much to the value of anything.
When we were alone again, Irma and I began to re-examine the two gifts, but, strangely enough, both of us were silent as though in thought. It may have been the art shown in the work, or it may have been something which I can never hope to explain, at any rate from that silent scrutiny sprang an idea, which in its maturity was a source of many emotions. From a little thing, like the visit of that day, a great thing sprang forth, and incidentally my life was expanded.
I had a nebulous scheme, a thought hardly formed, somewhere in my brain, as I stood and looked at the brooch and box; and it required the feminine quickness to supply the concrete expression of it. My wife said:
"The art of Rudarlia, what might it become?"
"You had better tell me what you are thinking," I said.
"I am thinking that Rudarlia may be famous for its art life, if you care to make it so."
"But I know so little of art. The only knowledge I have of the subject is entirely superficial; I've never had time to study it as it should be studied."
"Grey-haired Monarch."
"Is my wisdom so great?"
"No, oh King! that was not my thought."