Then the lady gave him one look, and without further process of mind perceived exactly what he was driving at. “That’s very extravagant for rings,” said she. “January is diamonds.” “Diamonds,” murmured the Virginian, more and more thoughtfully. “Well, it don’t matter, for I’d not wear a ring. And November is--what did yu’ say, ma’am?” “Topaz.” “Yes. Well, jewels are cert’nly pretty things. In the Spanish Missions yu’ll see large ones now and again. And they’re not glass, I think. And so they have got some jewel that kind of belongs to each month right around the twelve?” “Yes,” said Mrs. Henry, smiling. “One for each month. But the opal is what you want.” He looked at her, and began to blush. “October is the opal,” she added, and she laughed outright, for Miss Wood’s birthday was on the fifteenth of that month. The Virginian smiled guiltily at her through his crimson. “I’ve no doubt you can beat around the bush very well with men,” said Mrs. Henry. “But it’s perfectly transparent with us--in matters of sentiment, at least.” “Well, I am sorry,” he presently said. “I don’t want to give her an opal. I have no superstition, but I don’t want to give her an opal. If her mother did, or anybody like that, why, all right. But not from me. D’ yu’ understand, ma’am?” Mrs. Henry did understand this subtle trait in the wild man, and she rejoiced to be able to give him immediate reassurance concerning opals. “Don’t worry about that,” she said. “The opal is said to bring ill luck, but not when it is your own month stone. Then it is supposed to be not only deprived of evil influence, but to possess peculiarly fortunate power. Let it be an opal ring.” Then he asked her boldly various questions, and she showed him her rings, and gave him advice about the setting. There was no special custom, she told him, ruling such rings as this he desired to bestow. The gem might be the lady’s favorite or the lover’s favorite; and to choose the lady’s month stone was very well indeed. Very well indeed, the Virginian thought. But not quite well enough for him. His mind now busied itself with this lore concerning jewels, and soon his sentiment had suggested something which he forthwith carried out. When the ring was achieved, it was an opal, but set with four small embracing diamonds. Thus was her month stone joined with his, that their luck and their love might be inseparably clasped.