She had described the pretty purse that she had so valued, because it was a present from one of whom she was especially fond, and told how its loss had distressed her. It must be admitted that her heart beat a trifle more quickly as she looked at the two, but neither of the girls appeared the least self-conscious. Then she held up the clasp--perhaps it wasn't just right to say this before Concetta--and added: "It surprised me very much a day or two ago to find this little clasp in the possession of one of the girls here at the Mansion, for it is the very clasp that I lost with the silver purse." Then Maggie reddened and looked at Concetta, and Concetta looked from Maggie to Brenda. "Did you think that somebody stole it?" asked Maggie anxiously, and then she seemed to search Concetta's face for an answer. "I hardly care to say what I think," replied Brenda. "I should not like to believe that any one had stolen it." This time her gaze was so evidently directed toward Maggie that Maggie was almost driven to reply. "I know that it was in my drawer, Miss Barlow, but--" "Oh, it was I who gave it to her, I really did; but I didn't steal it." Concetta spoke very positively. Brenda was certainly puzzled by the turn of affairs, the more puzzled because she realized as well as any one else in the house that Maggie and Concetta had never been good friends, yet it was Maggie whom she now heard saying: "Oh, I'm sure, Miss Barlow, that Concetta isn't to blame." "I never saw the purse," explained Concetta, "but the clasp was given to me--that is, I paid twenty-five cents for it. The girl I got it from lives in the next house to my uncle's; you can ask her about it." "Well, I'm obliged to you, Concetta, for freeing Maggie from suspicion. It is indeed strange that the day I lost the purse was the very day on which I first saw Maggie. You remember, Maggie, the day when I went home with you." "Yes, indeed, Miss Barlow, the day I broke that vase; that was a bad bargain for you." "Why, I'm not so sure, Maggie; you see I seem to have found you in exchange for the vase, and perhaps, after all, I have had the best of the bargain. But tell me, Concetta, how it happens that you and Maggie are good friends now. Only a little while ago you seemed to be far from friendly, yet now you would not have been so ready to tell me about the silver clasp if you had not been anxious to help free Maggie from any chance of blame."