"Noel?"
"I told him to come here. I thought you wouldn't mind. You see, I want Alex to choose her ring."
"Oh, my dear boy! how very exciting! But may we see too?"
Mrs. Cardew was also present.
"Oh, rather," said Noel heartily. "We shall want your advice."
They all trooped hastily into the library, where the man was waiting, with the very large assortment of gleaming rings ordered for inspection by Noel.
"What beauties!" said Lady Isabel. "But, really, I don't know if I ought to let him."
She glanced at Mrs. Cardew, who said in a very audible voice:
"Of course. He's so happy. It's quite delightful to watch them both."
She was looking hard and appraisingly at the rings as she spoke.