"Do you mean to say you accuse me of stealing a brooch?" Joy said, pressing her hands distractedly to her head, and asking herself if this was all a horrible nightmare, if she was really awake.
"Certainly, I accuse you of stealing the butterfly brooch studded with diamonds. Ah!"
Sir Jasper uttered the ejaculation as Joy suddenly turned deathly white, and clutched the back of a chair for support. She gazed him with wide-open, horror-stricken eyes, as it was borne upon her mind that his description of the lost jewel tallied with that which Miss Pring had given her of the brooch which Celia had worn at the flower show. For a moment everything swam before her eyes, and Sir Jasper thought, with alarm, that she was about to faint; but with a mighty effort she regained her composure, and the colour returned to her cheeks and lips.
"Bring it back to-morrow, Joy," he said, much agitated himself; "bring it back, and no one shall know you took it but your mother. We'll have no fuss to-night. But oh, Joy, what made you take it? What tempted you? You could never wear the brooch. What will poor Margaret say when she knows the truth?"
Joy regarded him in dumb agony. She felt dazed, frightened, incapable of reasoning, only she was conscious of a dreadful fear, a terrible suspicion concerning Celia.
"I hear your mother coming downstairs," Sir Jasper continued, hurriedly; "she will be looking for you if you don't go. Remember, not a word to-night; but, to-morrow, bring it back—bring it back!"
Joy turned from him without a word, and joined her mother in the hall. She followed her into the carriage, and took the seat by her side.
Mrs. Wallis, her eyes enjoying the beautiful scenery on every side, scarcely glanced at her little daughter during the drive, so she did not remark her disturbed countenance, nor did she notice her unusual quietude.
Joy was actually in a ferment of excitement and indecision. What was she to do? One thing was certain, she would have to speak to her sister that night, and question her about the brooch she had worn at the flower show. Was it merely chance that the jewel Celia had worn, and the one Sir Jasper had lost, were of the same pattern? Even now she could not believe that Celia had been the thief who had robbed Sir Jasper. The thought was preposterous—incredible! There must be some mistake.
When T— was reached, and the carriage drew up before the Tillotsons' house, Mrs. Wallis and Joy both got out, and went inside for a few minutes. The former thanked Mr. Tillotson cordially for his kindness to Celia, and delivered a message from Sir Jasper to the effect that he hoped Lulu would visit them at the Moat House before very long, hearing which Lulu smiled, and declared that that would be delightful, but determined in her own mind that nothing should induce her to go until she knew for certain that the butterfly brooch was in the possession of its rightful owner.