As she now sat, trying to read, her companion watched her with covert attention, and, as thoughts of high and holy purpose spread their influence over her countenance, she regarded her with wonder, not unmingled with awe and pleasure. Then she perceived, with some curiosity, that Mabel raised her hand to her neck, while an expression of pain died upon her lips; then, as if recollecting herself, the hand wandered in search of something, and, not finding it, she rose, and looked about the room, and then in the next, but returned again, disappointed. "What are you looking for?" enquired Lucy, at length, seeing how troubled her face became. She started at perceiving she was noticed, and replied, with ill affected carelessness-- "I had a chain round my neck which I can't find." "Oh," said Lucy, "that is quite safe--for Henry has it for you." "How did he get it?" said Mabel, her face and neck suffused with deep crimson. "Caroline wanted to look at it--but, just as she was going to raise the spring of the locket to see what was in it, he put his arms round her, and took it from her--not very polite certainly--but your locket is safe--for I do not suppose he will look at it, as he took it from Caroline." Mabel covered her face with her hands, and Lucy saw, with surprise, that tears were trickling through her fingers--but presently she brushed them aside, exclaiming-- "How silly to be put out by such a trifle--promise me, dear Lucy, not to say how vexed I was at nothing." "No, Mabel--it would indeed be unkind to notice the few unreasonable moods in which you ever indulge." Neither said more at that time--and Lucy, as had been her habit lately, was silent for some hours. The evening had closed in, Mabel had excused herself from appearing at the dinner-table; and, as it was now too dark to see to read or work, she laid aside her book, and seated herself to remain awhile unoccupied. Then Lucy raised herself a little, and leaning her head upon one hand, looked attentively at her, while she said, in a low tone--