'Felony! Don't talk such stuff and nonsense.' Her words reminded him of some of Miss Casata's of the night before. For some cause he shivered. 'Doesn't your uncle as good as say she stole it from him? And didn't that woman tell you that she's ashamed of it herself, and that therefore she hides it away all alone in a drawer? That shows that she's perfectly conscious that it's as much your property as hers. Indeed, it's much more your property. Your uncle left it to you, and she's no right to keep you out of it a single moment. And she wouldn't, you know very well that she wouldn't, if it wasn't for me. You threw her over--' 'Pardon me, I did not.' 'Then did she throw you over?' 'That's nearer the mark.' 'Really, Guy, you have an agreeable way of commending yourself to me. Then am I to understand that she regards you as her cast-off rubbish?' 'We agreed that we had made a mistake. That is the truth of the matter. There was no throwing over on either side.' 'Now, Guy, I know more than you suppose. Do you mean to deny that she resents the idea of your being about to marry me?' 'She congratulated me on the fact last night.' 'Did she, indeed? How very good of her. And pray how did she congratulate you? As if she meant it?' 'I suppose she meant it.' 'You suppose! Do you dare to tell me that you don't know quite well that her congratulations were ironical?' 'Well, I confess I had my "doots."' 'There! Didn't I say so all along? Oh, Guy, how difficult it is to get things out of you. Now, try to be equally truthful again, and tell me, on your word of honour, if you don't know that she would give you the ruby without a moment's hesitation if it wasn't for me; that is, if the fact of our being engaged to each other didn't prevent you paying attention to her?' 'I shouldn't like to put it in that way; but I think it possible that Miss Bewicke might prove more malleable if the circumstances were other than they are.' 'Precisely. That is what I mean. So promise me that to-night you will take your own.' 'My own! Letty!' 'Promise me!' 'But, my dear Letty--' 'Of course there is an alternative. You can throw me over. We, in our turn, can agree that we have made a mistake. Then you will be able to make yourself agreeable to her; and you will be able to get the ruby that way.' 'But, my dear Letty, if you will only be reasonable--' 'It is you who are unreasonable. You allow an idea to mar our lifelong happiness. Before you realise how hollow it is it will be too late. There will be nothing in front of us but dreary years of waiting. You let the cup of happiness be dashed from your hand even when it is already at your lips. I release you, Guy. I will not be a clog on you, perhaps through all eternity.' Her tone was sombre, funereal. Mr Holland groaned. 'Oh, Lord! Your logic is as beautiful as you are. It really was worth while seeing ghosts in Africa for this!' She stood up.