If they go on like this with me,
they will almost tempt me to sell it for what it will fetch, just to prove
to them that I can do so. I have half a mind to sell it and then send them
the money and tell them to put it by for my little Flory. Would not that
serve them right, Frank?"
"I don't think I'd do that, Lizzie."
"Why not? You always tell me what not to do, but you never say what I
ought!"
"That is because I am so wise and prudent. If you were to attempt to sell
the diamonds they would stop you, and would not give you credit for the
generous purpose afterward."
"They wouldn't stop you if you sold the ring you wear." The ring had been
given to him by Lucy after their engagement, and was the only present she
had ever made him. It had been purchased out of her own earnings, and had
been put on his finger by her own hand. Either from accident or craft he
had not worn it when he had been before at Portray, and Lizzie had at once
observed it as a thing she had never seen before. She knew well that he
would not buy such a ring. Who had given him the ring? Frank almost
blushed as he looked down at the trinket, and Lizzie was sure that it had
been given by that sly little creeping thing, Lucy.
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