Margie had seen enough, and she must now get away quickly, lest the plotter should spy her; but she resolved to return presently and see what new wickedness Mabel had been planning against her, for well the girl knew what a malignant enemy she had in Mabel Raye. She watched in the dark corner at the east wing end of the passage till Mabel had been a minute or two in her chamber; then she fetched the eau de Cologne, and when Clara was better, and had fallen asleep, she lighted a candle, and went softly back to her own room, and straight up to the table. She opened the desk, and after a little search—with the faint hope that she should find nothing, and that perhaps Mabel had only been wanting a sheet of paper or a pen—she suddenly came upon the little parcel, and, opening it, discovered the ring.
The whole diabolical wickedness of the plot came upon and appalled her. What could she do? She must not tell Clara; the invalid would not sleep a wink after such a story as this. And yet some one must know, and know before morning, or she would find herself involved in the web that had been spun for her, and be deprived of all defence. At last she remembered that Mrs. Beach never went to sleep till very late at night, and that it was her habit to read in bed by the light of a specially contrived lamp. Margie's resolve was taken. She first returned to Clara, and found that she was peacefully sleeping under the influence of a soothing draught which had been administered. The patient was not likely to wake, and might safely be left for a few minutes.
Down went Margie with the ring in her hand, and softly knocked at Mrs. Beach's door.
"Come in," called the old lady, and in walked Margie, and came near to the bed, having first carefully closed the door behind her.
"I am sorry to disturb you at such a time, ma'am," said the girl, "but I have just found out something accidentally which might, had I not discovered it, have ruined my character and driven me away from here in disgrace."
"My dear girl," said the old lady, "you surprise me! What has happened? Tell me exactly, and keep back nothing."
"You know, ma'am, that Miss Mabel has always from the first disliked me; every one in the house has seen this, and of late, the dislike has, I fear, grown to hatred."
Then Margie related how she had seen Mabel putting something into her desk, and had afterwards found the ring.
"But what is to be done?" said the good old lady, much distressed. "I can hardly believe, Margery, that my niece could do such a thing as make a false accusation against you."
"Well, ma'am, I wish and pray that you may be right," replied the girl. "But, to prove it, may I propose something?"