"Don't you think it is a little ridiculous?" she asked. "A ring for a mere business arrangement?"
I would not allow myself to be hurt, but I was conscious that I felt a little angry.
"You would prefer not to choose a ring then? Very well, I will decide for you," and I took up one really magnificent single stone diamond, set as only Cartier can set stones.
"This is the last thing in modernity," and I handed it to her. "A hard white diamond of egregious size, it cannot fail to be a reminder of our hard business bargain, and I shall ask you to be good enough to wear it."
I suppose she saw that I was not pleased, for she drew in her lips a little, but she took the ring.
Her hands seemed very restless as she held it, they were certainly not nearly so red as they formerly were.
"Am I to put it on now?"
"Please."
She did so, only she put it on her right third finger, her cheeks growing pink.
"Why do you do that?" I asked.