“This shall typify the sting of the scorpion, which is the separation forced upon us. Its changing hues shall be to her a sign that three lunations more complete my exile, and then comes joyous union. Put this in the first place, and with it a turquoise for the present time, when all my thought is of thee,” he continued, unmindful of Alcamayn’s presence. “The ruby mirrors my imprisoned soul, which awaits release into the sunshine of thy love.”
Alcamayn was looking over a handful of garnets. Finally he found a suitable one, and laid it at the top of the purple square.
“This shall be the opening page,” said Yermah; “and I will so cunningly fashion it that Kerœcia shall go with renewed zest from one chapter to another. When she has my whole life spread out before her, I shall conceal the spring, so that she may not close it again. It will be to her a pledge of constancy.”
“I like not this amethyst,” commented Alcamayn, “but we have no other stone large enough.”
“The sign of the fishes is well represented by a pearl,” rejoined Yermah. “Hast thou black and white gems sufficient in size?”
“Here is one of each, ovum-shaped and perfect. Thou canst fashion the fishes of the amethyst and set the two pearls between.”
“A square of jasper gives promise of fulfillment. As the verdant earth responds to the warming rays of the sun newly come out of the region of cold and darkness, so man’s heart is warmed into life by love. Canst thou make room for me among the lapidaries?” he asked, turning to Alcamayn in direct appeal. “I desire to work with these materials myself.”
“Wilt thou grant me leave to make thee comfortable here? Thou mayst command me in all things,” said Alcamayn, proud of his knowledge of the craft, and flattered because he had been consulted in a matter so personal and delicate.
They were in the treasure-room of Iaqua, and it was not long before Yermah had a temporary work-shop improvised in a corner where he had a good light, but was screened from observation.
In addition to a copper wheel and the necessary tools, there was a vessel filled with a carbonate of a brownish-green, opaque color, porous like pumice, and as hard as a diamond, which he used for polishing and cutting. An emery-wheel and a ewer of olive oil were also at hand.