He had been there on several former occasions and a large stout man who
looked as though he must have been Lord Mayor several years running came
forward and gave Peter an audience. Precious stones were of no account in
such a place as this, and the ruby pendant looked quite small and humble
when it was brought to Peter--nevertheless it was beautiful and would suit
Clare exactly. It seemed to appeal personally to Peter, as though it knew
that he wanted it for a very especial occasion. This wasn't one of those
persons who would come in and buy you as though you were dirt. It meant
something to Peter. It meant something indeed--it meant exactly sixty
pounds--
"Isn't that rather a lot?" said Peter.
"It's as fine a ruby--" said the dignitary, looking over Peter's head out
of the window, as though he were tired of the affair and wanted to see
whether his car were there.
"I'll take it," said Peter desperately.
Sixty Pounds! Did one ever hear of such a thing? Sixty pounds ... Never
mind, it marked an occasion. The ruby smiled at Peter as it was slipped
into its case; it was glad that it was going to somebody who hadn't very
many things.
He had several other matters to settle and it was nearly five o'clock when
he turned out of Knightsbridge down Sloane Street. The sun was slipping
behind the Hyde Park Hotel so that already the shadows were lying along the
lower parts of the houses although the roofs were bright with sunshine.
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