“But—but,” he added, with sudden thought, “you are not the one who wore the corals that night at the opera; she was short, and darker than you. Those were my gifts to Meta, and she wore them last on that dreadful night. Ah! ah! I did not think the pain was so bitter still! But my heart was broken then, and though I have tried to live bravely, I find the wound is not healed even now.” His lordship seemed to have lost all knowledge of where he was, in living over the sad past, and there is no knowing how long he might have gone on in his rambling talk, had not Sir Charles now made his appearance, bearing a salver filled with dainties for his companion. Isabel was infinitely relieved to see him, for she was suffering torture under this forced inquisition. The young man bowed to his lordship again as he drew near, although his face expressed some surprise at finding him conversing with Isabel. “I beg your pardon for my seeming rudeness. There are certain circumstances under which one will sometimes forget one’s self. I beg you to forgive and forget what has just occurred.” He turned and left them almost as abruptly as he came, while Isabel sank back into her seat, weak and frightened, although considerably enlightened upon some points. Her tongue had seemed glued to the roof of her mouth, and she could not have answered his questions had he given her the opportunity. She was immensely relieved, however, that it had not been required of her; for she feared she should have committed herself, since it was evident that he knew the history of the jewels which she wore. She had wronged the governess; the property was hers beyond a doubt, and what should she do about it? She was filled with dismay; she could not return the jewels for the young girl was apparently lost to them forever, and she would have to carry about with her always the unpleasant consciousness that she was, as Wilbur had said, the thief. But it would not do to indulge in such thoughts now, and in explanation of what Sir Charles had just witnessed, she said: “His lordship thought from my appearance that I was the child of some one whom he knew, and he spoke to me very abruptly.” “My lord is very eccentric about some things; he is getting quite old, too, and people do not mind him,” replied Sir Charles, giving the matter no further thought. CHAPTER XX THAT VOICE Isabel and her mother were jubilant over the result of Lady Peasewell’s drawing-room. The occasion had been one of signal triumph for the former, for she had been universally declared the belle of the evening—the reigning star in all that brilliant company. Not so much indeed on account of her superior beauty—for she could lay no claim to beauty of features—as her stately presence, fascinating address, and her rich and elegant attire.