others gathered round her eager for a close inspection of the ring.

They all admired it greatly and Maud seemed gratified.

"Yes," she said, "it certainly is a beauty, and Chess says it must be
worth a good deal; that centre stone is quite large, you see, and there
are six others in a circle around it."

"I should think you'd feel very rich," remarked Lulu; "I'd go fairly
wild with delight if I had such an one given me."

"Well then, why not give your father a hint that you'd like such a
Christmas gift from him?" asked Sydney.

"I'm afraid it would cost too much," said Lulu, "and I wouldn't want
papa to spend more on me than he could well afford."

"Why, he could afford it well enough!" exclaimed Maud. "Your father is
very rich--worth his millions, I heard Cousin Horace say not long ago;
and he knows of course."

Lulu looked much surprised. "Papa never talks of how much money he has,"
she said, "and I never supposed it was more than about enough to keep us
comfortable; but millions means a great deal doesn't it?"

"I should say so indeed! more than your mind or mine can grasp the idea
of."

Lulu's eyes sparkled. "I'm ever so glad for papa!" she said; "he's just
the right person to have a great deal of money, for he will be sure to