Mrs. Ward and Aneta bent over the treasures. Mrs. Ward gave a start of great surprise when she saw them.
“Why, these,” she said, “are a fortune in themselves.”
“I thought so,” said Aneta, her eyes sparkling. “I felt sure of it. We must get that brooch back from Pearce.”
“Yes, Aneta; I will send Miss Johnson round for it at once. What did you say he gave Maggie for it?”
“Five pounds, Mrs. Ward.”
“It is very honest of him to offer to restore it to her. Ring the bell, dear, and Lucy Johnson will come.”
Miss Johnson was very much interested when she saw the sparkling treasures.
“Maggie’s!” she exclaimed. “I am glad she has given them to you to take care of for her. I was always terrified at her keeping such priceless things in her drawer.”
Mrs. Ward gave the girl some directions and the necessary money; she went off to fulfill her errand in considerable amazement. Lucy returned in less than half-an-hour with the lovely little brooch, which was immediately added to the collection.
“The best person to see these, as you suggested, Aneta,” 178 said Mrs. Ward, “is Sir Charles Lysle. They are really no good to Maggie, but ought to be sold for their utmost value for her benefit. She has many fine points, and considerable strength of character; and if you take her up, dear, I feel certain that she will be saved from all those things which would ruin a nature like hers.”