"Oh, you wicked—bad-hearted—you that couldn't be jealous!"
By this time Percy was himself again, and said, with some reason, that "invectives were not arguments. Produce the bracelet."
"And so I can," said Julia, stoutly. "Give me time."
"Oh," said Percy, "if it's a mere question of time, there is no more to be said. You'll find the bracelet in time, and in time I shall feel once more that confidence in you which induced me to confide to you as to another self that precious family relic, which I value more than any other material object in the world." Then Percy, whose character seemed to have changed, retired with stiff dignity and an air of indomitable resolution.
Neither Julia nor Mary had ever seen him like that before. Julia was unaffectedly distressed.
"Oh, Mary, why did I ever lend it to you?"
Now Mary knew very well where the bracelet was, but she was ashamed to say; she stammered and said, "You know, dear, it is too small, much too small, and my arm is bigger than yours."
"There!" said Julia; "you have broken the clasp!"
Mary colored up to the eyes at her own disingenuousness, and said, hastily, "But I'll have it mended directly; I'll return it to-morrow at the latest."
"I shall be wretched till you do," said Julia, eagerly. "I suppose you know what I want it for now?"