"No. But I thought you would see where I was leading you. For--and now for the _whole_ truth--although nothing can touch the character of one in my position, it would be worse than awkward for me to be spoken of in connection with the poor fellow's visits to the house: _my_ honesty would not be called in question as yours would, but what is dear to me as my honesty might--nay, it certainly would. You see now why I came to you!--You must go to his wife, or, better still, to Mr. Helmer himself, and tell him what I have been saying to you. He will at once see the necessity of disappearing for a while." Mary had listened attentively. She could not help fearing that something worse than unpleasant might be at hand; but she did not believe in Sepia, and in no case could consent that Tom should compromise himself. Danger of this kind must be met, not avoided. Still, whatever could be done ought to be done to protect him, especially in his present critical state. A breath of such a suspicion as this reaching him might be the death of him, and of Letty, too. "I will think over what you have said," she answered; "but I can not give him the advice you wish me. What I shall do I can not say--the thing has come upon me with such a shock." "You have no choice that I see," said Sepia. "It is either what I propose or ruin. I give you fair warning that I will stick at nothing where my reputation is concerned. You and yours shall be trod in the dirt before I allow a spot on my character!" To Mary's relief they were here interrupted by the hurried entrance of Mrs. Redmain. She almost ran up to her, and took her by both hands. "You dear creature! You have brought me my ring!" she cried. Mary shook her head with a little sigh. "But you have come to tell me where it is?" "Alas! no, dear Mrs. Redmain!" said Mary. "Then you must find it," she said, and turned away with an ominous-looking frown. "I will do all I can to help you find it." "Oh, you _must_ find it! My jewel-case was in your charge." "But there has been time to lose everything in it, the one after the other, since I gave it up. The sapphire ring was there, I know, when I went." "That can not be. You gave me the box, and I put it away myself, and, the next time I looked in it, it was not there." "I wish I had asked you to open it when I gave it you," said Mary. "I wish you had," said Hesper. "But the ring must be found, or I shall send for the police." "I will not make matters worse, Mrs. Redmain," said Mary, with as much calmness as she could assume, and much was needed, "by pointing out what your words imply. If you really mean what you say, it is I who must insist on the police being sent for." "I am sure, Mary," said Sepia, speaking for the first time since Hesper's entrance, "that your mistress has no intention of accusing you." "Of course not," said Hesper; "only, what am I to do? I must have my ring. Why did you come, if you had nothing to tell me about it?"