214 THE CORAL RING. 
the gold—“a ring of the red-crossed knights. 
Come, now, I’ve a great mind to bind yon to my 
service with it.” 
“ Do, lady fair! ” said Elliot, stretching out his 
hand for the ring. 
“ Know then,” said she, “ if you take the pledge, 
you must obey whatever command I lay upon 
you in its name.” 
“ I swear! ” said Elliot, in the mock heroic, as 
she placed the ring on his finger. 
An evening or two after, Elliot attended Flor¬ 
ence to a party at Mrs. B-’s. -Every thing 
was gay and brilliant, and there was no lack either 
of wit or wine. Elliot was standing in a little 
alcove, spread with refreshments, with a glass of 
wine in his hand. “ I forbid it! the cup is poi¬ 
soned,” said a voice in his ear. He turned quick¬ 
ly, and Florence was at his side. Every one was 
busy with laughing and talking around, and no¬ 
body saw the sudden start and flush that these 
words produced, as Elliot looked earnestly in the 
lady’s face. She smiled, and pointed, playfully, 
to the ring; but after all, there was in her face 
an expression of agitation and interest which she 
could not repress, and Elliot felt, however playful 
the manner, that she was in earnest; and as she 
glided away in the crowd, he stood with his arms 
folded, and his eyes fixed on the spot where she : 
disappeared. 
“ Is it possible that I am suspected — that there 
