There is more there than you think.' 'How pretty it is! What am I to do with it, please ?' 'That I will now explain to you,' answered the lady, turning from her and going to her cabinet.

She came back with a small ring in her hand.
Then she took the ball from Irene's, and did something with the ring--Irene could not tell what.
'Give me your hand,' she said.

Irene held up her right hand.
'Yes, that is the hand I want,' said the lady, and put the ring on the forefinger of it.
'What a beautiful ring!' said Irene.

'What is the stone called ?' 'It is a fire-opal.' 'Please, am I to keep it ?' 'Always.' 'Oh, thank you, grandmother! It's prettier than anything I ever saw, except those--of all colours-in your--Please, is that your crown ?' 'Yes, it is my crown.

The stone in your ring is of the same sort--only not so good.