“What do you mean?”
“I mean that I’ll throw them into the lake yonder A rejected gift is too odious a memory to be clogged with.”
“You couldn’t be guilty of such rash folly?”
“Don’t you know well that I could? Is it to-day or yesterday that the Calvert nature is known to you? If you wish me to swear it, I will do so; and, what is more, I will make you stand by and see the water close over them.”
“Oh, you are not changed—not in the least changed,” she cried, in a voice of real emotion.
“Only in some things, perhaps,” said he, carelessly. “By-the-way, this is a miniature of me—was taken in India. It is a locket on this side. Ask Emily to wear it occasionally for my sake.”
“How like! and what a splendid costume!”
“That was my dress in full state! but I prefer my service uniform, and think it became me better.”
“Nothing could become you better than this,” said she, admiringly; and truly there was good warrant for the admiration; “but even this is covered with diamonds!”
“Only a circlet and my initials. It is of small value. These are the baubles. Do what you will with them; and now good-bye. Tanti saluû, as we used to say long ago to the ladies—Tanti saluû de la parte mia. Tell Milly she is very naughty not to have given me her hand to kiss before we parted; but if she will condescend to wear this locket, now and then, I’ll forgive her. Good-bye.”