"Oh yes, it is in the box, no doubt," said Lady Sarah, somewhat crossly, for she disliked to be troubled, especially in hot weather. "You have not searched properly, Hughes."
"My lady," answered Hughes, "I can trust my hands and I can trust my eyes, and they have all four been into every hole and crevice of the box."
Lady Frances Chenevix laid down the Morning Post, and advanced. "Is the bracelet really lost?"
"It cannot be lost," returned Lady Sarah. "You are sure you put it out, Alice?"
"I am quite sure of that. It was lying first in the case, and——"
"Yes, it was," interrupted Hughes. "That is its place."
"And was consequently the first that I took out," continued Alice. "I put it on the table; and the others in a semicircle, nearer to me. Why, as a proof that it lay there——"
What was Alice going to add? Was she going to adduce as a proof that Gerard Hope had taken it up and made it a subject of conversation? Recollection came to her in time; she faltered and abruptly broke off. But a faint, horrible dread, to which she would not give a shape, came stealing over her; her face turned white, and she sank on a chair, trembling visibly.
"Now look at Alice!" uttered Frances Chenevix. "She is going into one of her agitation fits."
"Do not agitate yourself, Alice," cried Lady Sarah; "that will do no good. Besides, I feel sure the bracelet is all safe in the case: where else can it be? Fetch the case, Hughes, and I will look for it myself."