"I can't help it," she said, turning and speaking in a low voice to
Priscilla, who stood by her side-- "I can't help it, Prissie; I don't
want that coral a bit-- coral doesn't suit me: I dislike it as an
ornament. But something inside of me says Rose Merton shall not wear
it. Stay here, Prissie, I'll be back in a minute."
Miss Oliphant moved forward; she was so tall that her head could be
seen above those of most of the other girls.
The bids for the coral had now risen to three pounds ten. Maggie at
one bound raised them ten shillings. Rose bid against her, and for a
short time one or two other girls raised their previous offers. The
price for the coral rose and rose. Soon a large sum was offered for
it, and still the bids kept rising. Rosalind and Maggie were once more
alone in the field, and now any onlooker could perceive that it was
not the desire to obtain the pretty ornaments, but the wish for
victory which animated both girls.
When the bids rose above ten guineas Rosalind's face assumed a ghastly
hue, but she was now far too angry with Maggie to pause or consider
the fact that she was offering more money for the pink coral than she
possessed in the world. The bids still went higher and higher. There
was intense excitement in the room; all the noisy babel ceased.
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