Yet it is an offering all too poor for my great love to make, or your great worth to receive.

But take it as the best I have to give.
"ARONDELLE." She read this note with tearful eyes, roseate cheeks' and smiling lips.
And then she untied the white ribbon and opened the white paper.

It first disclosed a golden casket about four inches square, richly chased and bearing the Hereward arms set in small precious stones.

The tiny key was in the lock.

She opened it and found, lying on a bed of rich white satin, a large, burning, blazing ruby heart--the famous ruby of the Hereward, said to be the largest in the world.