"Then doesn't that prove what I claim, prove that you've cleared yourself—?"
"No," she told him firmly, with the firmness of despair; "it does not. Because I did not come for that only. I came with another purpose,—to steal, as well as to make restitution. And I … I stole."
There was a moment's silence, on his part incredulous. "I don't know what you mean. What did you steal? Where is it?"
"I have lost it—"
"Was it in your hand-bag?"
"You found that?"
"You dropped it in the trunk-closet. I found it there. There is something of mine in it?"
Dumb with misery, she nodded; and after a little, "You didn't look, of course."
"I had no right," he said shortly.
"Other men wo-would have thought they had the right. I th-think you had, the circumstances considered. At all events," steadying her voice, "I say you have, now. I give you that right. Please go and investigate that hand-bag, Mr. Maitland. I wish you to."