He drew a little white velvet box from his pocket and showed her a splendid emerald ring.

“It may not be right,” he said.  “The inside of a glove finger is not very accurate for a measure, but it was the best I could do.  I wrote Polly to get it, because she and mother are home from the East this week, but next they will go on to our cottage in the north, and no one knows what is right quite so well as Polly.”  He laid the ring in Elnora’s hand.  “Dearest,” he said, “don’t slip that on your finger; put your arms around my neck and promise me, all at once and abruptly, or I’ll keel over and die of sheer joy.”

Elnora smiled.

“I won’t!  Not all those venturesome things at once; but, Phil, I’m ashamed to confess that ring simply fascinates me.  It is the most beautiful one I ever saw, and do you know that I never owned a ring of any kind in my life?  Would you think me unwomanly if I slip it on for a second, before I can say for sure?  Phil, you know I care!  I care very much!  You know I will tell you the instant I feel right about it.”

“Certainly you will,” agreed Philip promptly.  “It is your right to take all the time you choose.  I can’t put that ring on you until it means a bond between us.  I’ll shut my eyes and you try it on, so we can see if it fits.”  Philip turned his face toward the west woods and tightly closed his eyes.  It was a boyish thing to do, and it caught the hesitating girl in the depths of her heart as the boy element in a man ever appeals to a motherly woman.  Before she quite realized what she was doing, the ring slid on her finger.  With both arms she caught Philip and drew him to her breast, holding him closely.  Her head drooped over his, her lips were on his hair.  So an instant, then her arms dropped.  He lifted a convulsed, white face.

“Dear Lord!” he whispered.  “You—­you didn’t mean that, Elnora!  You——­ What made you do it?”

“You—­you looked so boyish!” panted Elnora.  “I didn’t mean it!  I—­I forgot that you were older than Billy.  Look—­look at the ring!”

“‘The Queen can do no wrong,’” quoted Philip between his set teeth.  “But don’t you do that again, Elnora, unless you do mean it.  Kings are not so good as queens, and there is a limit with all men.  As you say, we will look at your ring.  It seems very lovely to me.  Suppose you leave it on until time for me to go.  Please do!  I have heard of mute appeals; perhaps it will plead for me.  I am wild for your lips this afternoon.  I am going to take your hands.”

He caught both of them and covered them with kisses.

“Elnora,” he said, “Will you be my wife?”

“I must have a little more time,” she whispered.  “I must be absolutely certain, for when I say yes, and give myself to you, only death shall part us.  I would not give you up.  So I want a little more time—­but, I think I will.”

“Thank you,” said Philip.  “If at any time you feel that you have reached a decision, will you tell me?  Will you promise me to tell me instantly, or shall I keep asking you until the time comes?”