“Have you got it with you?” she asked with excitement. “Let me see it quick.”
He drew the little box from his pocket, withdrew the ring, concealing it in his hand, slipped it on her finger and kissed it. She threw her hand up into the light to see it.
“Oh! it is glorious! It’s the big green diamond Hiddenite I saw at the Exposition! It is the most beautiful stone I ever saw, and the only one of its kind in size and colour in the world. Professor Hidden told me so. I tried to get Papa to buy it for me. But he laughed at me, and said it was childish extravagance. Charlie dear, how could you get it?”
“That’s a little secret. But there are to be no secrets between us any more. I had a little hoard saved from my mother’s estate for the greatest need of my life. I confess my extravagance.”
“You are a matchless lover. I’m the proudest and happiest girl that breathes.”
“Nothing is too good for you, I wish I could make a greater sacrifice.”
“Wait, till I show it to Mama,” and she flew to her mother’s room. She returned immediately, looking at the ring and kissing it.
“Couldn’t show it to her, she had company,” she said. “Allan is talking to her.”
“Let’s get out of the house, dear. I hate that man like a rattlesnake.”
“Don’t be silly, I never cared a snap for him.”