“'A jewel-case, I suppose you mean, Anne.' “'Yes, ma'am; but they were none of those as Miss Aynton was in the habit of wearing--nor had she that box when she first came: she must have brought it down with her after she went back to London for a week in the early part of the year. However, all as struck me then was the beauty of the jewels; and I thought there was no harm in my just trying them on in the front of the swing mirror. My ears not being pierced, I couldn't fix the earrings, although I wouldn't a-minded a little pain, and they sparkled like morning-dew; but I clasped on the pearl necklace and the bracelets, and stood admiring myself in the looking-glass a good long time. Then all of a sudden I saw an angry face looking over my shoulder, and heard a cruel voice whisper: “Thief, thief!” just like the hiss of a wood-snake. I scarcely recognised Miss Rose, who had always looked so pleasant, and been such a smooth-spoken young lady. “I could send you to prison, Anne Eees for this,” continued she, very grave and slow; “and I _will_, too, if you don't do everything I tell you. I hate a thief.” “Lor, miss,” cried I, “have mercy, for Heaven's sake! I never meant to thieve nothing.” “And I hate a liar,” added she, looking so cold and cruel that she made me shudder. “You break open my drawer--not a word, you had girl, or I'll send to Dalwynch for a policeman--and I actually find my property on your very person! You ought to go to jail for this; and perhaps I am wrong not to send you there. However, remember; from this moment, you are _my_ servant--only mine; and whatever I tell you to do, whether it is against your late mistress or not, see that you do it; and dare not to breathe one word of anything that I do, or speak, or possess--such as these jewels, for instance--or you will rue it bitterly, Amie Rees.” “'Of course I promised, Mistress Forest, for I was in such a state of terror that I would have promised anything; but you cannot imagine to what a slavery I bound myself!' “'I know all about that, Anne.' said I: 'everybody knows you're become a spy and a sneak. But there is no occasion for you to follow such vocations any longer. My Lady would never believe a word of your intending to steal those things: I can promise you her protection; so make your mind quite easy upon that point.--But now, what about Master Walter?' “'Well, Mistress Forest, the jewels were his present, to begin with. There have been very wicked goings on. It was quite dreadful to see her kiss dear good Miss Letty at night, and return her “God bless you!” so pious like, when she was not blessing her--I mean Miss Rose--at all. Oh, Mistress Forest, I have known all this for weeks and weeks, and dared not speak one word; and now the truth is almost too terrible to tell.'