"I will think over what you have said," she answered; "but I can not give him the advice you wish me. What I shall do I can not say—the thing has come upon me with such a shock."
"You have no choice that I see," said Sepia. "It is either what I propose or ruin. I give you fair warning that I will stick at nothing where my reputation is concerned. You and yours shall be trod in the dirt before I allow a spot on my character!"
To Mary's relief they were here interrupted by the hurried entrance of Mrs. Redmain. She almost ran up to her, and took her by both hands.
"You dear creature! You have brought me my ring!" she cried.
Mary shook her head with a little sigh.
"But you have come to tell me where it is?"
"Alas! no, dear Mrs. Redmain!" said Mary.
"Then you must find it," she said, and turned away with an ominous-looking frown. "I will do all I can to help you find it."
"Oh, you must find it! My jewel-case was in your charge."
"But there has been time to lose everything in it, the one after the other, since I gave it up. The sapphire ring was there, I know, when I went."