"Emeralds, then?"
"No: papa has set his heart on giving her those."
"Rubies?"
"Oh, nothing red: they would not suit her."
"Opals?"
"Too unlucky, she would die or run away from you."
"Pearls? But of course,"—quickly: "why did I not think of them before?"
"Why, indeed? They will be charming. By the by, Dorian, have you told Lord Sartoris of your engagement?"
Dorian's brow darkens.
"No. He has been from home, you know, either in Paris or the Libyan desert, or somewhere. He only turned up again two days ago. Seen him since?"