"Oh, they belonged to Yone; and uncle gave me these, which I like
better. Amber is warm, and smells of the earth; but this is cool and
dewy, and"----
"Smells of heaven?" asked I, significantly.
Mr. Dudley began to fidget, for he saw no chance of finishing his
exposition.
"As I was saying, Miss Louisa," he began, in a different key.
I took my beads and wound them round my wrist. "You haven't as much eye
for color as a poppy-bee," I exclaimed, in a corresponding key, and
looking up at Rose.
"Unjust. I was thinking then how entirely they suited you."
"Thank you. Vastly complimentary from one who 'don't like amber'!"
"Nevertheless, you think so."
"Yes and no. Why don't you like it?"
"You mustn't ask me for my reasons. It is not merely disagreeable, but
hateful."
"And you've been beside me, like a Christian, all this time, and I had
it!"
"The perfume is acrid; I associate it with the lower jaw of St. Basil
the Great, styled a present of immense value, you remember,--being hard,
heavy, shining like gold, the teeth yet in it, and with a smell more
delightful than amber,"--making a mock shudder at the word.
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