The new dress must be your gift." "Are you joking ?" "I am in earnest.

To-morrow is Sydney's birthday; and here is _my_ present." She opened a jeweler's case, and took out a plain gold bracelet.

"Suggested by Kitty," she added, pointing to an inlaid miniature portrait of the child.

Herbert read the inscription: _To Sydney Westerfield with Catherine Linley's love._ He gave the bracelet back to his wife in silence; his manner was more serious than usual--he kissed her hand.
The day of the dinner-party marked an epoch in Sydney's life.
For the first time, in all her past experience, she could look in the glass, and see herself prettily dressed, with a gold bracelet on her arm.

If we consider how men (in one way) and milliners (in another) profit by it, vanity is surely to be reckoned, not among the vices but among the virtues of the sex.