It was not until the maid had left them alone that she asked him what the present was that he had bought for her that day.
“Ah, you wait till after dinner, old lady. I had the chance of buying something very nice at a quite reasonable price, and I took it, as I had to take it or leave it without any chance of consulting you. If you don’t like it you can hand it over to one of the girls.”
“I shall like it,” said Regina, and she asked no further questions.
It was after dinner, when they had retired to the pleasant drawing-room, that Alfred brought forth his purchase. It was a rather flat parcel, looking like a rather large cardboard box done up in brown paper. With masculine pride Alfred snipped the string, undid the wrappings and brought to view the cardboard box that Regina had expected. Within were more wrappings of tissue paper, and these undone disclosed a large tippet or stole and a big muff of the order usually called “granny,” made of the finest dark sables.
“Alfred!” cried Regina, all in a flutter.
“Ah, I thought you’d say that. No question of handing them over to the girls, eh?”
“I should think not indeed. Why, darling boy, you must have given a fortune for them.”
He slipped the tippet over her head and kissed her at the same time. “Not too much for you, Queenie, but they did cost, well, a penny or two, but it was a bargain all the same. Now, put your hands in the muff and look at yourself.”
“Oh, Alfred—oh, Alfred, you do love me?” said Regina.
“Love you! Ever have cause to doubt it?” he asked quite sharply.