When she fastened the cross about her throat it was with no
exultation, but like one who places over his heart a last memorial of
the dead; a consecration, like the red sign or the white which the
crusaders wore on the covers of their shields.
Then she took from her breast the spray of autumn leaves. He had not
noticed them, yet perhaps they had helped to make him happy when he
came into the cabin that night, so she placed the spray on the table.
Next she unpinned the great rubies from her throat and let her eye
linger over them for a moment. They were chosen stones, a lure and a
challenge at once.
The first thought of what she must do came to Jacqueline then, but not
in an overwhelming tide--it was rather a small voice that whispered in
her heart.
Last, she took from her bosom the glove of the yellow-haired girl.
Compared with her stanch riding gloves, how small was this! Yet, when
she tried it, it slipped easily on her hand. This she laid in that
little pile, for these were the things which Pierre would wish to find
if by some miracle he came back from the battle.
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