In another moment her nimble fingers had unscrewed the cluster in the ring, and screwed it into the brooch. "There!" handing it back, and slipping the ring on her finger. "It makes three separate articles--a ring, a brooch, and a bangle. Are you convinced?" "I am. May I have the brooch and ring? And I must ask you to swear to your property before Uncle Tom, who is a magistrate." "Very well, though I feel slightly alarmed; it sounds so formal--and as if I had been breaking the law." "Do you know that you have done an immense service, for you have not only given me a clue to the recovery of your jewels. This," holding up the safety-pin, "will get a notorious evil-doer two years' hard labour, with a shorn head, and chains, in Rajahpore jail. Now, I wish you could put me on the track of Saloo, the money-lender!" CHAPTER XXXI The change in Dominga, which had not escaped the sharp eyes of old Nani, gradually became visible to her sister. Dom's whole mind was evidently concentrated on something, or someone--who could that someone be? She was abstracted, silent and forgetful--at one moment in the maddest and most unaccountable spirits, at another sunk in the depths of ferocious gloom. Dominga was in love--and for the first time in her existence. Ambition and a hungry vanity had impelled her to strain every effort in order to attract "The Honourable" (as he was called in Manora), and her aim was accomplished but too easily. On the occasion of their second meeting he exclaimed: "Lovely Dom! won't you be real good friends with me? _won't_ you like me--and let us see a great deal of one another?" This appeal she had laughed at and "pooh-poohed." Now to see "Jimmy" was all she lived for. She was indifferent to position; she had no desire to snatch a coronet--all she cared for was Jimmy himself. If Jimmy ceased to love her, if he were to leave her, the whole world would become wrapped in darkness--and she would die. Meanwhile, none suspected their intimacy. Dom was an accomplished actress, and full of resource and courage; she concealed an impassioned love affair behind the cloak of a duly licensed (warranted "harmless") flirtation with her unhappy dupe, "Baby Charles." These two strings to her bow were a severe tax on Dominga. Admirable performer as she was, she found it difficult to keep both strings in tune, and to wear an everyday air of smiling self-possession. She worshipped Jimmy, and with regret, it must be added, that she now secretly detested Baby Charles. These devastating emotions had their natural result; she became nervous, thin and restless as the sea itself; sleep and appetite both left her, and yet Dom retained her looks--she had a sort of glorified expression; a soft brilliance in her eyes had replaced their former challenging stare.