“If you have no objection, ma’am,” she said, after a pause, “would it not be best to put this case into the safe?”
“No; it is quite unnecessary,” replied Nancy: “you can put it on the shelf in my wardrobe; and if you are nervous you can give me the key of the wardrobe.”
“I will certainly do so, ma’am; it is really not wise to have jewel-cases of this sort about when burglars are known to be in the neighbourhood.”
“I am perfectly sick of the subject of those tiresome burglars,” said Nancy.
Hester made no remark at all to this, and soon afterwards left her mistress.
The tired household slept long and late, unsuspicious of any danger. It was between nine and ten the following morning when Nancy suddenly opened her eyes. She started up in bed, and was about to ring her bell to summon Hester, when the young woman hurriedly opened the bedroom door and stood on the threshold with a scared and absolutely deathlike face.
“Oh, madam, I’m so glad you are awake,” she said. “Vickers said you ought certainly to be aroused at once, and yet I did not like to do it.”
“What is the matter, Hester? How terrified you look!” cried Nancy.
“Oh, I am, madam. Please will you wake Mr. Rowton; Vickers wishes to see him immediately.”