Yet the prospect was a hard one. He could only know that, though not his wife, Clare Collingwood should never be the wife of another, and tenderly he looked on a ring of sapphires and opals from her hand, on which he had slipped their old engagement ring of diamonds.
He was alone, we have said, for his friend Vane did not accompany him.
He had a card for Lady Rakes' 'at home;' Clare was going, and Ida too; so the former asked Trevor to get him to defer his journey and be present, adding:
'It is for Ida's sake; you know all I mean, and all I hope she wishes.'
'I do, Clare, and so will Jerry.'
'But do not speak of her.'
Hence Vane remained behind in London.
CHAPTER X.
FOR WHOM THE JEWELS WERE INTENDED.
Clare was seated in a shady corner of the library, looking alternately at the German map in Murray's Guide and the diamond ring which she had first received from Trevor Chute on the eventful moonlight night at Carnaby Court.