Isabel colored violently.
“I have, mamma. I should think it was time some one investigated matters, when we have a governess in the house possessing such treasures. I believed her guilty of theft, and I was determined that the girls should not remain under her influence if anything could be proved against her. So I set myself to work; and I think when you have examined the contents of that box, and hear what I have to tell you, that you will conclude that she is no fit instructress for your daughters.”
“Isabel, I am afraid you have done a very unwise thing,” remarked her mother, thoughtfully, with her eyes still fixed upon the jewels.
“How so?”
“We cannot prove that she stole a single article in her possession.”
“Why, she has quantities of beautiful things, marked with the initials ‘E. H.’”
And Isabel explained about the case of golden-stoppered perfumery flasks, and the contents of the writing-desk; also about the note.
“If she is light-fingered, you don’t want her here; she’ll be adding to her stock by approaching our treasures,” concluded the heartless girl.
“No; if she is that kind of a person, she ought not to be allowed to remain.”
“Well, do you believe that any girl in her circumstances could be the honest possessor of that fortune?” Isabel asked, pointing toward the gleaming jewels.