Oh, her hand, her hand! Once ringless indeed, once her own to give, to stretch forth in pledge of the heart's imperishable faith! Now a prisoner for ever; but, thus ringless, so like a maiden hand once more.

There came a foolish sense of ease.

She would keep her finger free yet a little, perhaps through the service.

She bent forward and laid the ring on the open book.
More dreams, quite other than before; then the organ began its prelude, a tremor passing through the church before the sound broke forth.

Adela sank deeper in reverie.