l she accept a little present
from me? You, at any rate, for my sake, will ask her to do so. Give her
this--it is only a trifle," and she put her hand on a small jeweler's
box which was close to her arm upon the table, "and tell her--of course
she knows all our story, Harry?"

"Yes, she knows it all."

"Tell her that she whom you have rejected sends it with her kindest
wishes to her whom you have taken."

"No, I will not tell her that."

"Why not? It is all true. I have not poisoned the little ring, as the
ladies would have done some centuries since. They were grander then than
we are now, and perhaps hardly worse, though more cruel. You will bid
her take it, will you not?"

"I am sure she will take it without bidding on my part."

"And tell her not to write me any thanks. She and I will both understand
that that had better be omitted. If, when I shall see her at some future
time as your wife, it shall be on her finger, I shall know that I am
thanked." Then Harry rose to go. "I did not mean by that to turn you
out, but perhaps it may be as well. I have no more to say; and as for
you, you can not but wish that the penance should be over." Then he
pressed her hand, and with some muttered farewell, bade her adieu. Again
she did not rise from her chair, but, nodding at him with a sweet smile,
let him go without another word.

Chapter XLIX

Showing What Happened Off Heligoland

During the six weeks after this, Harry Clavering settled down to his
work at the chambers in the Adelphi with exemplary diligence. Florence,
having remained a fortnight in town after Harry's return to the
sheepfold, and having accepted Lady Ongar's present--not without a long
and anxious consultation with her sister-in-law on the subject--had
returned in fully restored happiness to Stratton. Mrs. Burton was at
Ramsgate with the children, and Mr. Burton was in Russia with reference
to a line of railway which was being projected from Moscow to Astracan.
It was now September, and Harry, in his letters home, declared that he
was the only person left in London. It was hard upon him--much harder
than it was upon the Wallikers and other young men whom Fate retained in
town for Harry was a man given to shooting--a man accustomed to pass the
autumnal months in a country house. And then, if things had chanced to
go one way instead of another, he would have had his own shooting down
at Ongar Park with his own friends--admiring him at his hee