Part of her mind, in unwilling detachment, contemplated ruefully the oddly inadequate spectacle which they must present, staring shamefacedly at one another across the glittering token of their troth.
Frenziedly desirous of breaking the silence, heavy with awkwardness, that hung between them, she began to speak hastily and almost at random.
"Thank you so very much—I've never had such a lovely present—it's lovely; thank you so much."
"I thought you'd like it," muttered Noel, more overcome with confusion, if possible, than was Alex.
"Oh, yes, yes. It's lovely."
"I thought you'd like something rather original, you know, not a conventional one."
"Oh, yes!"
"You're sure you wouldn't rather have one of the others—that emerald one that mother liked?"
"Oh, no."
"I dare say they'd let me change it, the man knows us very well."