He threw back his curly head and laughed quite pleasantly as he suggested that surely the young lady was not thinking of an “afterwards” already? “It is always well to be provided for every contingency,” put in Mr. Waters dryly. “I should like to see those diamond rings in that show-case over there, please.” “There” was at the other end of the shop—which meant that our salesman had to turn his frock-coated back upon us, and that he was out of earshot of the next remarks between his “newly-engaged” customers. “Miss Trant!”—the Governor spoke curtly and hurriedly—“What was your meaning just now when you said that ‘diamonds were always money afterwards’?” “Well—I—I understood that they were![82] Perhaps I ought not to have said it with the man there. I meant that you would not lose anything on it when I return that ring to you in a year’s time from now!” [82] “Who said anything about ‘returning’ the ring when the so-called engagement is up?” asked Mr. Waters, looking directly at me. I was aghast. “But ... naturally I send it back!” “I had not intended that at all. You will have ... expenses connected with this affair—railway-journeys, and so on, I mean.” He meant clothes again, I suspect, but could not say so. “I intended whatever value the ring might have to stand for those.” “Thank you,” I said, nearly boiling up again. “In that case I won’t have diamonds, please.” “This is a very pretty design, madam,” insinuated the returning Mr. Smarm. “The colour of these stones is very beautiful.” “Yes, but I don’t think I’m going to have diamonds,” I persisted, feeling quite amazed at my own boldness. I meant, however, to carry my point. “I’d rather have pearls—or opals——” “Very seldom a young lady chooses opals for her engagement ring,” smiled the shopman. “That superstition against opals loses our firm thousands of pounds’ business a year; the majority of ladies considering them so unlucky.” “I am not superstitious,” I said. “I would[83] like—I am going to have an opal ring, with very small stones in it.” [83]
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