This she accordingly did. After she had parted with her governess, Joy strolled along very slowly, her mind occupied by thoughts of Celia's new brooch. She supposed her sister must have purchased it for herself with the sovereign Sir Jasper had given her, and wondered what her mother would say when she saw it, for she knew Mrs. Wallis greatly disliked flashy jewellery for young people, and she had been anything but pleased when Celia had bought a gaudy brooch before; she determined to say nothing about it, however, for it might transpire that Lulu had lent the ornament for the occasion of the flower show. On reaching the Moat House, Joy went round to the stables with Wag, then returned to the front of the house and entered the hall, where she encountered the housekeeper.
"Sir Jasper has been inquiring for you, Miss Joy," Mrs. Mallock informed her; "he's in the library, my dear."
Accordingly, Joy went at once to the library, where, she found Sir Jasper alone. The old man's face wore a moody expression, and the little girl rightly guessed he had been thinking of his dead son.
"Did you want me, Uncle Jasper?" she asked, gently.
"You might play to me," he replied, not over graciously.
"Oh, yes, of course I will!"
Joy took her place at the piano immediately, and commenced to play "The Last Rose of Summer," whilst Sir Jasper leaned back in his easy chair with closed eyes, and listened. From "The Last Rose of Summer" Joy's fingers wandered presently into another tune; she was improvising as she went on, forgetful how the time was passing, as was her way when making music. Suddenly she stopped, awakened from the reverie into which she had fallen, by the sound of a loud snore. Glancing quickly around she saw Sir Jasper had fallen asleep. How old and worn he looked! Joy's heart warmed toward him with tenderest sympathy and affection. She forgot his injustice to her, and remembered only his great sorrow, his loneliness. Fearing he was in the draught, she stepped behind his chair, and essayed to shut the window noiselessly; but, softly though she moved, the sleeper stirred, and, opening his eyes, sat upright in the chair.
"What are you doing?" he demanded sharply. "Joy, is that you?"
"Yes, Uncle Jasper," she answered, a trifle nervously, taken aback by the asperity of his tone. "I'm afraid I have disturbed you. I'm so sorry!"
"What were you doing to my safe?" he asked, suspiciously.