"I will tell you, though you may hate me for my words. Piers, I took the ring you lost. I meant no harm in the first moment; mischief and jealousy were then so mixed, I don't know which of them led me. I saw you asleep. I slipped the ring off your finger. I told myself I would give it to you in the morning, and claim my forfeit. In the morning, the Duchess was cross; and you were cross; and the constables were in the house; and I was afraid. And I put it off and off, and every day my fear of trouble--and perhaps my hope of doing mischief with it--grew stronger. I had then hours of believing that I should like to be your wife, and I hated and envied Kate Atheling. I hesitated until I lost the desire to explain things; and then one day my maid Justine flew in a passion at me, and accused me of stealing the ring. She said it was in my purse--_and it was_. She threatened to call in the whole household to see me found out; and it was the night of the great dinner; and I bought her off." "Oh, Bella! Bella! that was very foolish." "I know. She has tortured and robbed me ever since. I have wasted away under her threats. Look at my arms, Piers, and my hands. I have a constant fever. Last week she promised me, if I would give her two hundred pounds, she would go away, and I should never see or hear of her again. I gave her the money. Now she says she has made up her mind to go to India with me. That I cannot endure. She has kept me on the rack with threats to tell Cecil. He is the soul of Honour; he would certainly cease to love me; and if I was his wife, how terrible that would be! What am I to do? What am I to do? Oh, Piers, help me!" "Where is the woman now?" "In my apartments." "Can I go with you to your parlour?" "Yes--but, Piers, why?" "Where is the ring, Bella dear?" "In her possession. She was afraid I would give it to you." "Why did you not tell me all this before? Come, I will soon settle the affair." When they reached the room, Annabel sank almost lifeless on a sofa; and Piers touched a hand-bell. Justine called from an inner room: "I will answer at my leisure, Miss." Piers walked to the dividing door, and threw it open. "You will answer _now_, at my command. Come here, and come quickly." "My lord--I did not mean--" "Stand there, and answer truly the questions I shall ask; or I promise you a few years on the treadmill, if not a worse punishment. Do you know that you are guilty of black-mailing, and of obtaining money on false pretences?--both crimes to be expiated on the gallows." "My lord, it is a true pretence. Miss Vyner stole your ring. She knows she did." "She could not steal anything I have; she is welcome to whatever of mine she desires. How much money have you taken from Miss Vyner?"