'I am not sure of any such thing,' replied Mr. Ellis, 'and I insist upon Mabel and Julia being told to come to me.'
As there was no resisting her husband's authority, the girls were summoned to their papa's presence; and though they knew not why it was, there was a conscious uneasiness in their minds which certainly did not lend wings to their feet.
'Come here, girls,' said their papa, though not in an unkindly tone, as they entered the dining-room. 'I want to ask you a few questions. Mind, I must have truthful and straightforward answers—no prevarication.'
Mrs. Ellis looked at the two girls, and then at her husband, with astonishment, not having the least idea of what was coming; yet she felt very uneasy.
'Mabel,' said Mr. Ellis, addressing his eldest daughter, 'you were out yesterday?'
'Yes, papa,' replied that young lady; 'Julia and I went for a walk with Dora and Annie Maitland.'
'And where did you go?' was the next inquiry, and one very easily answered.
'To the Regent's Park, papa,' said Julia; 'but we were there only a short time.'
'Now just one more question, and I have done,' said papa; 'did either of you girls lose anything while you were out?'
'Oh, papa, yes,' answered Julia instantly—'mamma's brooch. Oh, have you found it, papa?' she exclaimed.