"But go where you will, Marion, you will write to me and see me
sometimes?"

"Of course I shall. If I remain in London it will be comparatively easy,
and if I go into the country you will be obliged to follow me."

"I wish I could disguise myself as a page and go with you," he said. "I
do not see how I am to live without you."

He did another thing which touched her generous heart--he painted a
picture, and with the proceeds of the sale of it he purchased a ring for
her. It was his sister who told her how the ring was procured.

"It is my belief," said Miss Lyster, "that if he could change his whole
heart into one great ruby, he would do so, and offer it to you."

She placed the ring on her finger, and he made her promise never to take
it off. It was made of rubies and opals set in pure gold.

"Do not remove that, Marion," he said, "until I can find a plain gold
ring and that shall bind you to me for as long as we both shall live."




CHAPTER VIII.


A change came at last--one for which none of the three had been