At last, Constance finding commonplace about exhausted, said:
"Congratulate me, child! I have thrown off a burden from my shoulders; I have brought my diamond investigations to a close."
"Ah! diamonds!" Sybil almost started from her chair, and the exclamation came sharply from lips white and trembling.
"Yes, my lost diamonds, you know; I have dismissed Mr. Belknap."
"Belknap!" an unmistakable look of horror crossed her face. "Dismissed him; oh, I wish I could!"
Sorely at a loss, yet thinking it best not to seem surprised at what she believed to be the efforts of a wandering mind to grasp and master the subject under discussion, Constance talked on, answering questions and making observations, without allowing Sybil to see the surprise and sorrow that filled her heart; and, not until many days later did she recall her friend's wild words, to see how much of method there might be in this seeming madness.
"Mr. Belknap was conducting the search for the diamonds, you know, Sybil?"
Sybil seemed making an effort to collect her scattered senses.
"Yes, yes, Conny, go on," she whispered.
"I have paid him off and am done with him; that's about all, dear."