"Well, it _is_ a beauty!" he murmured, toying with it as a delighted boy
might with a new plaything.
"I thought you did not admire diamonds?"
"Well, can't a person change their opinions?
"Certainly, but--"
"Ah, that pain again!" exclaimed the engineer, clasping his stomach
suddenly and groaning.
"Oh, August, you are hurt, in pain, and trying to keep it from me!" she
cried in alarm.
"It's a mere nothing, but--but have you any, brandy in the house? I feel
that I need something of the kind."
He seemed trying to smother his distress, and this caused poor Rose to
grow pale with alarm.
She sprang up at once.
"I believe there is a flask of brandy in the pantry; I will go for it."
"If you only would."
She passed out quickly.
In about ten minutes she returned having a flask and glass.
"I feel much better," he said, "but I will taste the spirits since it may
prevent a recurrence of that ugly pain."
He tossed off a rather ample glass of the liquid, and declared that he
felt twenty per cent better.
"If you weren't a strict temperance man I should think that you liked
brandy," said Rose, with an amused laugh.
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