“Let that be placed in the gold below the sapphire. The emerald pictures the depth of the sea, and is the delight of its parent, the Light Bringer. It shall be in the third place.” “The first gem for the blue square is a topaz,” said Alcamayn, “which rules the Lion, thy house of nativity.” “This pale pink coral, with its delicate leaf-work, shall be its companion. It is of our common country, and will out-tongue my feeble words in its own behalf,” the Dorado continued. “Here is a dewdrop laden with sunbeams,” said the little jeweler enthusiastically, as he opened a square of maguey fiber, and disclosed a first-water brilliant. “Equilibrated love could have no better exponent,” assented Yermah, sharing his enthusiasm. “The bow and dart are here at rest in the sign Libra, where the Lord of Day begins his journey through the nether world. This sparkling thing shall find rest beside the coral branch fresh from the brine of Atlantis.” “The scarlet block must have a fiery opal, and I have here an exquisite finding, recently brought from the Toltec kingdom,” exclaimed the jeweler. “This shall typify the sting of the scorpion, which is the separation forced upon us. Its changing hues shall be to her a sign that three lunations more complete my exile, and then comes joyous union. Put this in the first place, and with it a turquoise for the present time, when all my thought is of thee,” he continued, unmindful of Alcamayn’s presence. “The ruby mirrors my imprisoned soul, which awaits release into the sunshine of thy love.” Alcamayn was looking over a handful of garnets. Finally he found a suitable one, and laid it at the top of the purple square. “This shall be the opening page,” said Yermah; “and I will so cunningly fashion it that Kerœcia shall go with renewed zest from one chapter to another. When she has my whole life spread out before her, I shall conceal the spring, so that she may not close it again. It will be to her a pledge of constancy.” “I like not this amethyst,” commented Alcamayn, “but we have no other stone large enough.” “The sign of the fishes is well represented by a pearl,” rejoined Yermah. “Hast thou black and white gems sufficient in size?” “Here is one of each, ovum-shaped and perfect. Thou canst fashion the fishes of the amethyst and set the two pearls between.” “A square of jasper gives promise of fulfillment. As the verdant earth responds to the warming rays of the sun newly come out of the region of cold and darkness, so man’s heart is warmed into life by love. Canst thou make room for me among the lapidaries?” he asked, turning to Alcamayn in direct appeal. “I desire to work with these materials myself.” “Wilt thou grant me leave to make thee comfortable here? Thou mayst command me in all things,” said Alcamayn, proud of his knowledge of the craft, and flattered because he had been consulted in a matter so personal and delicate.