Peace hung down his head.
“Your husband!” he ejaculated. “Then you are married?”
“Of course I am, to as good and kind a husband as ever woman could wish to have. He’s very rich, of a good family, and has not a blemish on his escutcheon.”
“I’m knocked silly. There’s no mistake about it—you might double me up with the blow of a mere straw. This beats all. I’ve heard of sorcery, and I’m blowed if there must not be something of the sort here.”
“Before you proceed with your agreeable discourse,” said the lady, “you had better put every one of my trinkets in its place.”
Peace at once proceeded to replace the jewels in the case. The other articles he had possessed himself of were also rendered up to their owner without hesitation.
“There, will that satisfy you? It is not at all likely that I should attempt to rob you. I have returned everything.”
“That is well, and now——” she hesitated.
“Well you have thrown down the ladder, but I can get clear off.”
“Do so then at once.”