"Where did he get it, I wonder? It is not yours, I suppose, my dear?" Sir Jasper inquired of Celia.
"Oh, no, it is not mine!" Celia answered quickly, glancing up with tearful blue eyes.
"Probably it belongs to one of the servants," Miss Pring remarked. "'Lady Isabella's Treachery!'" she read out. "Humph! Flashy, low-class literature!" As she spoke she happened to glance at Joy, who had suddenly turned crimson. She knew Joy was exceedingly fond of reading, and a suspicion crossed her mind that the book might be hers. Sir Jasper also noticed the younger sister's evident confusion, and he addressed her so sharply that she started, and trembled.
"Is the book yours, Joy?"
"Oh, no, Uncle Jasper!"
"You never saw it before?" he questioned, suspiciously.
"Never!" she answered, promptly.
"Then, why, pray, are you looking so guilty?" Sir Jasper persisted, whilst Mrs. Wallis turned her attention from Celia to Joy in surprise. "If you know nothing about the book, what is the meaning of your confused manner?"
His keen eyes were searching her face, noting her painful blushes, her uneasiness. She did not like to say that she had recognised the title of the book from having heard Lulu Tillotson mention it, for she guessed that Lulu had lent it to Celia, and that Celia meant to keep the fact a secret. It was very wrong of Celia; but Joy felt she could not get her sister into trouble, especially when Celia's tearful eyes appealed to her to keep silence.
"I hope you are not trying to deceive us, Joy," Sir Jasper said, severely. "If you have been tempted to read this silly, sensational story—I can judge the class tale it is, and I daresay it fascinated you—why not confess it?"