The Walderhursts have a ridiculously splendid ring in the family, which they have a way of giving to the women they become engaged to.

It's ridiculous because--well, because a ruby as big as a trouser's button _is_ ridiculous.

You can't get over that.

There is a story connected with this one--centuries and things, and something about the woman the first Walderhurst had it made for.

She was a Dame Something or Other who had snubbed the King for being forward, and the snubbing was so good for him that he thought she was a saint and gave the ruby for her betrothal.