heart. Nothing pleases me better than to have you, and all my dear
children do so."

"Thank you, my dear, dear papa. I don't mean ever to hide anything from
you," she returned, giving him another hug and kiss, while her eyes
sparkled and her cheek flushed with pleasure. "It's a diamond ring I'd
like to have."

"A diamond ring?" he repeated in surprise. "What would my little girl do
with such a thing as that?"

"Wear it, papa. Maud Dinsmore has such beautiful one, that a rich aunt
sent her the other day," she went on eagerly; "there's a large diamond
in the middle and little ones all round it, and it sparkles so, and
looks just lovely on her hand! We all admired it ever so much, and I
said I'd be wild with delight if I had such an one; then Sydney said,
'Why not give your father a hint that you'd like one for Christmas?' and
I said I was afraid you couldn't afford to give me anything that would
cost so much; but Maud said I needn't be, for you were worth millions of
money. Can you really afford to give it to me, papa? I'd like it better
than anything else if you can, but if you can't I don't want it," she
concluded with a sigh, and creeping closer into his embrace.

He did not speak for a moment, but though grave and thoughtful his
countenance was quite free from displeasure,--and when, at length, he
spoke, his tones were very kind and affectionate.

"If I thought it would really be for my little girl's welfare and
happiness in the end," he said, "I should not hesitate for a moment to
gratify her in this wish of hers, but, daughter, the ornament you covet