"Yes. Oh, see here," boyishly, "I brought something for you to-night. I have noticed that you don't wear rings, but I want you to wear this." He opened his hand and showed her, lying on the palm, a little silver ring. "It's just a simple trinket that my sister wore as a child. I'd like to think that it would tie you to me always--for remembrance. I had hoped that you would let me give you another some time. But this--why, you can't object to wearing it--and it would mean a lot to me if you would----" Her slender fingers touched it. "How sweet of you to think of it----" "Then you'll wear it?" "Yes--because you are--my friend." 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. Justin saw her catch at them, saw her look of frightened appeal as she thrust them hurriedly back into their hiding-place. She rose slowly from the rug; slowly she took the little silver ring from her finger; slowly she handed it back to him. "Please, I must not wear it," she said, with a break in her voice. "I must give it back to you--my friend." CHAPTER XV IN WHICH BETTINA FLIES In the clear days which followed, Justin gave his undivided attention to flying. Not once did he see Bettina. Not once did he join the party of young people of which he had been the leading spirit. In vain did Bobbie formulate enticing plans. "We'll go to Cat Island with Captain Stubbs, fish all day, and have chowder on the rocks." There had been one glorified fishing trip for Justin with Bettina. He wanted no other. "I've wasted enough time," he said shortly. "I came here to practice flying, not to do social stunts." Sara urged him also. "You haven't played a set of tennis with me since you came up," she complained. "Of course I know you're simply crazy over Betty Dolce, but that needn't cut me out entirely. I thought my friendship meant something to you, Justin." "It does," Justin told her, honestly, "but I'm not in a mood for tennis, and as for Betty Dolce, I haven't seen her for a week."