'I see. Now I understand. That's the idea. I've no doubt that Miss Bewicke will find you a most persuasive person.' 'My dear Letty!' 'Weren't you and Miss Bewicke once engaged to be married? Pray don't trouble yourself to explain. I know all about it. You need have no fear of losing your uncle's inheritance. You are quite sure to understand each other. She'll be delighted to give you the ring in exchange for another. Would you like to give her mine?' She actually began to unbutton her glove. He groaned. 'It's worth while seeing ghosts in Africa for this!' 'And what do you propose to say to Miss Bewicke when you call upon her?' 'That's what I want you to tell me.' 'I tell you! As if you didn't know! After the stories I have heard of her I had hoped that you would have had no more to do with Miss Bewicke. But, of course, my wishes do not count.' 'If the stories you have heard are to Miss Bewicke's discredit, you may take my word for it that they are libels.' 'You are sure to know. I am glad you have such a high opinion of her. When you have seen her you might let me know what she says. That is, if she should say anything which was not spoken in the strictest confidence.' She actually walked away. He went after her. 'My dear Letty, don't you want me to try to get the ring?' 'By all means act in accordance with the dictates of your better judgment. You are so much wiser than I.' 'But, Letty, if I don't get the ring, I--I won't say I lose you, because God knows I hope I never shall do that; but it means that I shall have to wait for you, the Powers above alone can tell how long. While getting it means getting you at once.' 'Guy, weren't you once engaged to be married to Miss Bewicke?' 'Yes, I was.' 'And I suppose you loved each other?' 'Letty, it's not like you to rub it in like this.' 'My dear Guy, let us look the situation fairly in the face. This person, from whom you are going to ask this weighty favour--in effect you are going to ask her to bestow on you a fortune--is the woman whom once you loved, and who was once your promised wife. I don't like it; it's no use pretending to you that I do.' 'My dear Letty, do you think I like it? If it weren't for circumstances I'd let the ruby and the fortune go together. Listen, the decision shall be in your hands. Shall I try to fulfil the old man's preposterous and malignant condition? or shall I throw the whole thing up at once, let the money go to Horace Burton, return to Africa, and keep on pounding away in the hope of making enough to win you in the end? Now, which is it to be? You shall say.' 'It's not fair to place the entire responsibility upon my shoulders.' 'Since this is a matter in which you are primarily interested, my one desire is that your views should be treated with the utmost possible deference.' 'Then get the ruby.' 'But how?'