He opened the box, and displayed such a glitter and show as would have delighted the eyes of any lady.  All kinds of strange ornaments; ancient watches —­ one of them a death’s head in gold; cameo necklaces; pearls abundant; diamonds, rubies, and all the colours of precious stones —­ every one of them having some history, whether known to the owner or not; gems that had flashed on many a fair finger and many a shining neck —­ lay before Lady Emily’s delighted eyes.  But Euphrasia’s eyes shone, as she gazed on them, with a very different expression from that which sparkled in Lady Emily’s.  They seemed to search them with fingers of lightning.  Mr. Arnold chose two or three, and gave Lady Emily her choice of them.

“I could not think of depriving you.”

“They are of no use to me,” said Mr. Arnold, making light of the handsome offer.

“You are too kind. —­ I should like this ring.”

“Take it then, dear Lady Emily.”

Euphrasia’s eyes were not on the speakers, nor was any envy to be seen in her face.  She still gazed at the jewels in the box.

The chosen gem was put aside; and then, one after another, the various articles were taken out and examined.  At length, a large gold chain, set with emeralds, was lifted from where it lay coiled up in a corner.  A low cry, like a muffled moan, escaped from Euphrasia’s lips, and she turned her head away from the box.

“What is the matter, Euphra?” said Mr. Arnold.

“A sudden shoot of pain —­ I beg your pardon, dear uncle.  I fear I am not quite so well yet as I thought I was.  How stupid of me!”

“Do sit down.  I fear the weight of the box was too much for you.”

“Not in the least.  I want to see the pretty things.”

“But you have seen them before.”

“No, uncle.  You promised to show them to me, but you never did.”

“You see what I get by being ill,” said Lady Emily.

The chain was examined, admired, and laid aside.

Where it had lain, they now observed, in the corner, a huge stone like a diamond.

“What is this?” said Lady Emily, taking it up.  “Oh!  I see.  It is a ring.  But such a ring for size, I never saw.  Do look, Miss Cameron.”

For Miss Cameron was not looking.  She was leaning her head on her hand, and her face was ashy pale.  Lady Emily tried the ring on.  Any two of her fingers would go into the broad gold circlet, beyond which the stone projected far in every direction.  Indeed, the ring was attached to the stone, rather than the stone set in the ring.

“That is a curious thing, is it not?” said Mr. Arnold.  “It is of no value in itself, I believe; it is nothing but a crystal.  But it seems to have been always thought something of in the family; —­ I presume from its being evidently the very ring painted by Sir Peter Lely in that portrait of Lady Euphrasia which I showed you the other day.  It is a clumsy affair, is it not?”