“What is that?” she asked uneasily. Now that her time with him was coming to an end, she felt more and more separated from him; she glanced toward the glass-covered window, and beyond, the harvesters in the fields teased by a fainéant wind. “It is for you, so that you can fend for yourself if it comes to that,” he said as he gave it to her. “Look inside, if you like.” In his black pallium with the collar of silver links, he was unusually imposing, and that made her uncertain about the box, since it appeared to be part of his farewell to her. She took hold of it, surprised at how heavy it was. Reluctantly she slid back the lid, and very nearly dropped it as she caught sight of the large variety of jewels it contained; her hold tightened and she stared at him in astonishment. “This is all for me?” “Yes.” “How many are there?” She wanted to count them herself, but knew it would be unacceptably rude to do so where he could see.
