The Keepers of the People

93There was a sound of footsteps on the gravel, and the two brown men came into the circle of the light, bearing the Eastern chest.

94“The gifts of my father to his cousins,” said Ralph Falcon, and waved them to Lady Lisdor.

95Roused from her dreaming, she looked at them with a startled air, as they set the chest at her feet, and knelt before her. One of them drew a key from his bosom and unlocked it. At the raising of the lid the fragrance of strange perfumes floated on the air; and the two mutes drew from it Eastern stuffs, wonderful embroideries on gossamer grounds, cloth stiff with gold and jewels. Lady Lisdor and Althea greeted each fresh piece with glowing faces and little cries of wonder. Last of all, one of the mutes took a casket from the bottom of the chest, and laid it on Lady Lisdor’s knee. She opened it, and rings, bracelets, and necklaces, set with emeralds and rubies, gleamed and flashed upon their startled eyes.

96Althea cried out; Lord Lisdor said, “By Jove!” Prince Melinsky grunted his wonder; but a look of distress gathered on Lady Lisdor’s face, and she said in a doubtful tone that gained conviction as she spoke —

97“These are too valuable and beautiful. We cannot take them. At least I cannot. Now, one of these beautiful embroideries—”

98Lord Lisdor chuckled, and said, “I was waiting for that.”

99Ralph Falcon’s face remained unmoved, and he said quietly —

100“These are gifts from my father; I am but the bearer. I cannot take them back.”

101Lady Lisdor’s hand played with the jewels, but her face did not grow easy. She looked at Lord Lisdor, but he gave her no aid. Althea had clasped a ruby bracelet on her little white arm, and was admiring it.

102“I seem so ungracious,” said Lady Lisdor; “but—”

103“It must be,” said Ralph Falcon, and he smiled.

104“If I must—” she said; and an answering smile gathered slowly on her face. “Well, convey a thousand thanks to your father from me, cousin Ralph; and George and I will write a thousand more. Althea, let us divide them.”

105They divided them with womanly delight, comparing the effect of each bracelet or necklace or ring, first on the arm, or neck, or finger of one, then of the other. The emeralds fell to Lady Lisdor. “They match your eyes,” said Althea. The rubies fell to Althea. “I want a little glow,” she said.

106The men admired and discussed the jewels, Prince Melinsky fidgeting and saying, “I don’t understand! I don’t understand!”

107“What don’t you understand?” said Lord Lisdor at last.

108“The cutting of the stones is European; but the setting and design of the ornaments are Eastern — Eastern. Where did they come from, Mr. Falcon?” said Prince Melinsky.

109“Asia,” said Ralph Falcon.

110“It’s all so jolly ‘Arabian Nights,’ don’t you know?” said Lord Lisdor.