“And those are,” she continued, in a hard, unfeeling voice, “you have either stolen them from some wealthy families with whom you have served, or——” “Madam!” The downcast eyes were raised now, and the fire which flashed from them seemed almost to sear the heartless woman’s face. “I dare say, mamma, she was waiting-maid in some rich family, and came by them in that way,” put in Isabel, spitefully. “Do not interrupt me, Isabel. Miss Douglas, please wait until I finish before you make any remarks,” Mrs. Coolidge said, coldly, with a wave of her hand; then continued: “As I was saying, I think you either stole them, or you have had relations with some person which would debar you from ever entering any respectable family, though I cannot conceive how anyone could be such a fool as to lavish so much upon a——” “Cease!” came in a hoarse whisper from Brownie’s lovely lips, which had grown of the color of ashes, and were quivering with insulted pride and anger, while her heart stood still with horror. The word checked Mrs. Coolidge, in spite of her insolent self-assurance, and, bad as her language had been, she was ever after glad that she had not uttered that last maddening word. To be accused of theft had been almost more than Brownie could bear. A Douglas accused of stealing! But the other insinuation! She had hardly been able to comprehend it at first. She grew sick at heart, dizzy and faint, when the woman’s meaning at length burst upon and nearly crashed her. For one moment her blood seemed turned to ice, and her brain on fire. The next, conscious virtue asserted itself. The proud figure grew more proudly erect, the little head was lifted with a haughty grace, and Queen Margaret Tudor herself, of whom Miss Mehetabel had been wont to boast, would have gloried in the majesty of her appearance. Then the pained, almost convulsed expression about her delicate mouth relaxed into a withering smile of scorn. What were these two base spirits, that she, a Douglas, with royal blood in her veins, should fear them? She turned her blazing eyes full upon her accusers, and she found they could not bear the glance; their eyes dropped guiltily beneath it. Then, with that mighty calmness in her tones and manner, Brownie said to Mrs. Coolidge: “Have you anything further to say to me regarding those jewels, madam?” “Not unless I can persuade you to confess and make restitution,” she answered, uneasily. “I have no confession to make; I have no restitution to make. These articles of jewelry are legally mine—how, I do not intend to explain to you, either now or at any other time. The manner in which you or your daughter became possessed of them does you infinite credit; it is an act of which doubtless you will be proud all your life. Now, if you please, I will relieve you of them; and from this moment consider my engagement with you at an end, as, after such repeated insults I could no longer remain in your family.”