As to what subsequently occurred, there was always a divided house within the many-sided Charles. But all his sides insisted that, at this point, he had no interest in the matter whatever; some held that he had not even seen the ring till she called attention to it. Now, bending over the hand, he examined it, and said:—
"Well! This is news to me, you know!"
"Not at all!" laughed the owner of the ring. "Why, what do you mean?"
"I've seen an engagement ring once before, you see."
"You're very clever! But—does it have to follow that I'm engaged?"
"That was the rule, in my day."
"You don't seem at all curious!"
"I'm very curious."
"Well, I'm not, of course!"
"I'm glad to hear it."