This belief, unformulated by either, and entirely characteristic of a late Victorian generation, was, perhaps, that which they held most in common.
Alex even wondered whether she ought to wait and speak to Lady Isabel before taking the next step which she had in mind, but her desire to try and raise their trivial, shamefaced parting to a higher level by one dramatic touch, was too strong for her.
She slowly pulled the diamond engagement-ring off her finger, and handed it to him.
"Oh, I say," stammered Noel. He looked miserably undecided, and she knew that he was wondering whether he could not ask her to keep it just the same.
But in the end he slipped it into his pocket, after balancing it undecidedly for a moment in the palm of his hand.
She sat on the sofa, her left hand feeling strangely bare, unweighted by the heavy, glittering hoop, and Noel looked out of the window.
"I think I shall go abroad," he announced suddenly, and with mingled relief and mortification, Alex detected the sound of satisfaction latent in his voice. She felt that he thought himself to be doing the proper thing in the circumstances, and the sting inflicted on her pride by his acquiescence in their parting, though she had expected nothing else, gave her the sudden impulse necessary to rise and cross the room until she stood beside him at the window.
"Please forgive me, Noel."
"Oh, there's nothing to forgive," he returned hastily. "Of course, if you feel like that, it's all over."
He looked at her steadily and Alex felt the suspicion rush over her that he was trying obliquely to convey a warning to her that if she dismissed him now, it would be of no use to recall him later.