"There are lanterns, I suppose."
He rang and ordered a servant to bring a lantern, went out and searched for the missing ornament, while Elsie cowered over the hall fire and Elizabeth stood, cold and white, in the way.
Clorinda came out of her domain while Mr. Mellen and Dolf were searching the hall.
"Lost something marster?" she demanded, with the coolness peculiar to her race.
"Missis has lost her bracelet," interposed Dolf.
"Laws!" cried Clorinda, not perceiving her mistress on the veranda. "I neber seed nobody lose tings so; 'taint a month since she lost a di'mond ring, and all she said, when her maid missed it, was, 'It can't be helped.'"
This was an aside to Dolf, but Mr. Mellen heard the words plainly, so did Elizabeth.
"I'll bet yer don't find it," pursued Clorinda. "I heerd steps early in de evenin'; I knows I did, though missis called me a foolish cullud pusson once when I told her of hearing 'em. Dar's thieves about, now; member I tells yer!"
"Clorinda," called Elizabeth, "go into the house. The next time you venture any remark on me you will leave my service."
Clorinda sallied back as if she had been shot, and darted into her own dominions, less favorably disposed than ever towards the mistress for reproving her before Dolf.