He took her hand in his and fitting the slender band first on one finger and then on another found a place for it at last on the little finger of her left hand.
"With this ring," he said, softly, "I take you always—for my friend——"
Then he stood looking down at her. "What a lovely little thing you are," he said. "You're so tiny that I could pick you up and carry you off, yet I tremble when I touch your hand."
She drew a quick short breath.
"You aren't to say such things to me—you know."
"I'll be good."
She knelt down like a child on the hearth-rug, and held her hand forward so that the light of the fire might shine on the silver circlet.
"Why, it's engraved," she said, "with two hearts."
"Yes," he said; "your heart and mine."
As she bent forward, the thin chain which she wore about her neck swung forward from among the laces of her gown, and, "tinkle, tinkle," sounded the chime of the flashing rings which Anthony had given her.