He took her small hands and held them fondly in his own.
"Lina, we were made for each other," he pleaded; "we both love poetry, music, and everything beautiful. Fate has been hard and unkind to us, but she has relented at last. You are going to be my wife."
Lina could not resist his pleading, and the gentle arm that stole around her. She hid her face on his breast and wept the happiest tears that ever rained from a happy woman's eyes. She had loved Ronald so long and so well, and she was going to be his wife at last.
Only one month later they were happily married amid the rejoicings of all the neighborhood. General and Mrs. Valchester were present and seemed very happy in the happiness of their idolized son. Mr. Earle was also present, but Walter and Violet sent regrets. Their father said that they were very busy making arrangements for a long projected tour abroad.
Mrs. Meredith's wedding-gift to her husband's niece was a mysterious box swathed around with silver paper.
Ronald was quite mystified to hear her say, gratefully, when she received it:
"A thousand thanks, Aunt Meredith. I would rather have this box than Crœsus' fortune!"
It has been frequently said that women have all the curiosity in the world and men none at all, but Ronald Valchester was exceedingly curious over his wife's bridal gift. He thought over it several times, and at last he said to her:
"Lina, my darling, what precious gift was that which your uncle's wife gave you on your wedding-day?"