"'Ow much?" said the boatswain, jerking his head.
"That's a very nice ring," said the assistant.
"Twenty—" he referred to a tiny label on the card, "twenty-five pounds."
The boatswain's jaw dropped, and both listeners made noble efforts to appear unconscious that his breathing was anything out of the ordinary.
"Take it off," he said, as soon as he could speak; "take it off at once."
"It's too large," said Rosa, with a sigh.
She drew it off, and, turning to a case the jeweller placed before her, tried on several more. Suited at last, she held up her hand with the ring on it for Mr. Walters's inspection.
"It fits beautifully," she said, softly, as the boatswain scratched the back of his neck.
"A very nice ring, that," said the assistant. "A queen might wear it."
"Take it off," cried Mr. Walters, hastily.