Cynthia put her hand quickly to her neck.
"You saw my chain?"
"Yes, while your Uncle and I were carrying you."
"My Uncle and you! O Mr. Jones! carrying me?" in a tone as if to say, "What shall I hear next?"
"Yes, we were. The locket flew open, Cynthia, and I saw——"
"You saw William Brown," said Cynthia in a very dignified tone.
"Not at all," said I. "O Cynthia! is it any wonder that I was encouraged?"
Cynthia was fumbling with her chain. She pulled the locket from its hiding place; a look of consternation overspread her face.
"I've lost my ring!" she said.
"What ring?" asked I. "Oh, that curious serpent ring! It is probably in your sleeping chamber."