"I shall have to mend your stockings in any case. As to the cigarettes, permit me to decline. What will your papa say to such goings on?"
"He will be charmed, no doubt. If he isn't, he ought to. Just fancy when he is sitting alone of an evening over his meerschaum, what nice, sociable smokes we can have together. Jules and I used to smoke together by the hour. My darling Jules! how I long to go back to Ottawa and you once more! Grace!" dropping the cat and whirling up to her, "would you like to hear a secret?"
"Not particularly; what is it?"
"You won't tell—will you?"
"I don't know; I must hear it first."
"It's a great secret; I wouldn't tell anybody but you; and not you, unless you promise profoundest silence."
"I make no promises blindly. Tell me or not, just as you please. I don't think much of your secrets, anyhow."
"Don't you?" said Rose, nettled; "look here, then."
She held out her left hand. On the third finger shone a shimmering opal ring.
"Well?" said Grace.