"But she will never guess the real one," said Miss Verney.
The wine was brought in and poured out. Miss Verney coughed a great deal over her glass, and two small pink spots appeared on her cheeks.
"I am sure," she said, "that when my dear father brought this wine back from Portugal he would have been happy to know that some of it would be drunk to the health of two young people in love. For he was, if I may say so without impropriety, a great lady's man."
Pauline and Guy drank Miss Verney's health in turn, and thanked her for the good omens she had wished for their love.
"My dear Pauline," said Miss Verney, "do you think? I wonder if I dare? You know what I mean? Do you think I could show it to Mr. Hazlewood?"
"Do you mean the miniature?" whispered Pauline.
"Oh, do, Miss Verney, do! Guy would so appreciate it," Pauline declared.
The old maid went to her bureau and from a small locked drawer took out a leather case which she handed to Guy.
"The spring is broken. It opens very easily," she said in a gentle voice.