Proudly, when the task was accomplished, did they contemplate their work, and predict the aspect of their tinsel and frippery when duly lighted up.  Then, as they dispersed to dress, James ran home, and hastily tapped at his sister’s door.

‘What is the matter?’ she cried.  ’Have the tassels come off my purse?’

‘Nothing of the kind, but—­’ he came quite in, and looked round restlessly, then hastily said, ‘You gave me nothing for Miss Conway.’

‘I wished it very much,’ said Clara, ’but I could not bear to do anything trumpery for her.  Oh, if one could give her anything worth having!’

’Clara, I had thought—­but I did not know if you would like to part with it—­’

‘I had thought of it too,’ said Clara; ’but I thought you would not like it to be given away.’

Pulling out a drawer, she opened an odd little box of queer curiosities, whence she took a case containing an exquisite ivory carving, a copy of the ‘Madonna della Sedia,’ so fine that a magnifier alone could fully reveal the delicacy and accuracy of the features and expression.  It was mounted as a bracelet clasp, and was a remnant of poor Mr. Dynevor’s treasures.  It had been given to Mrs. Henry Frost, and had descended to her daughter.

‘Should you be willing?’ wistfully asked James.

’That I should!  I have longed to give her what she would really care for.  She has been so very kind—­and her kindness is so very sweet in its graciousness!  I shall always be the happier for the very thinking of it.’

‘I am glad—­’ began Jem, warmly; but, breaking off, he added—­’This would make us all more comfortable.  It would lessen the weight of obligation, and that would be satisfactory to you.’

’I don’t know.  I like people to be so kind, that I can’t feel as if I would pay them off, but as if I could do nothing but love them.’

‘You did not imagine that I rate this as repayment!’

‘Oh! no, no!’

‘No! it is rather that nothing can be too precious—­’ then pausing-‘You are sure you are willing, Clary?’

’Only too glad.  I like it to be something valuable to us as well as in itself.  If I only had a bit of black velvet, I could set it up.’

In ten minutes, Jem had speeded to a shop and back again, and stood by as Clara stitched the clasp to the ribbon velvet; while there was an amicable dispute, he insisting that the envelope should bear only the initials of the true donor, and she maintaining that ’he gave the black velvet.’  She had her way, and wrote, ’From her grateful C. F. D. and J. R. F. D.;’ and as James took the little packet, he thanked her with an affectionate kiss—­a thing so unprecedented at an irregular hour, that Clara’s heart leapt up, and she felt rewarded for any semblance of sacrifice.

He told his grandmother that he had agreed with his sister that they could do no otherwise than present the ivory clasp; and Mrs. Frost, who had no specially tender associations with it, was satisfied to find that they had anything worth offering on equal terms.