"No. Unless it is because other people have wished it. I should only say as much to you, though, Ellen: she is my mother."
The implied confidence sounded very precious in her ears. She turned to the window again.
"I hope they will be happy. I think there is no doubt of it. Bessy is very sweet-tempered and gentle."
"He is good-tempered too."
"Yes, I think so. I have seen very little of him. There's Mrs. Gass!"
They were passing that lady's house. She sat at the open window; a grand amber gown on, white satin ribbons in her cap. Leaning out, she shook her handkerchief at them in violent greeting, just as though they had been the bride and bridegroom. As Ellen drew back in her corner after bowing, her foot touched something on the carpet at the bottom of the carriage.
"Why! what is this?"
They both stooped at once. It was the wedding-ring enclosed in its tissue paper. Captain Bohun unfolded the paper.
"Dr. Rane must have lost it out of his pocket as we went along," cried Ellen. "He said, you know, that he felt so sure he had put it in. What is to be done with it?"
"Wear it instead of your own until they come back again," said Arthur. "Bessy can then take her choice of the two."