But she had drawn away, had averted her face; and he might not see it; and she shivered slightly, staring out of the window at the passing lights. He saw, and perforce paused. "You--you don't understand," she told him in a rush. "You give me credit beyond my due. I didn't break into your flat again, to-night, in order to return the jewels--at least, not for that alone." "But you did bring back the jewels?" She nodded. "Then doesn't that prove what I claim, prove that you've cleared yourself--?" "No," she told him firmly, with the firmness of despair; "it does not. Because I did not come for that only. I came with another purpose,--to steal, as well as to make restitution. And I ... I stole." There was a moment's silence, on his part incredulous. "I don't know what you mean. What did you steal? Where is it?" "I have lost it--" "Was it in your hand-bag?" "You found that?" "You dropped it in the trunk-closet. I found it there. There is something of mine in it?" Dumb with misery, she nodded; and after a little, "You didn't look, of course." "I had no right," he said shortly. "Other men wo-would have thought they had the right. I th-think you had, the circumstances considered. At all events," steadying her voice, "I say you have, now. I give you that right. Please go and investigate that hand-bag, Mr. Maitland. I wish you to." He turned and stared at her curiously. "I don't know what to think," he said. "I can not believe--" "You mu-must believe. I have no right to profit by your disbelief.... Dear Mr. Maitland, you have been kind to me, very kind to me; do me this last kindness, if you will." The young face turned to him was gravely and perilously sweet; very nearly he forgot all else. But that she would not have. "Do this for me.... What you will find will explain everything. You will understand. Perhaps"--timidly--"perhaps you may even find it in your heart to forgive, when you understand.... If you should, my card-case is in the bag, and ...." She faltered, biting her lip cruelly to steady a voice quivering with restrained sobs. "Please, please go at once, and--and see for yourself!" she implored him passionately. Of a sudden he found himself resolved. Indeed, he fancied that it were dangerous to oppose her; she was overwrought, on the verge of losing her command of self. She wished this thing, and though with all his soul he hated it, he would do as she desired. "Very well," he assented quietly. "Shall I stop the cab now?" "Please." He tapped on the roof of the hansom and told the cabby to draw in at the next corner. Thus he was put down not far from his home,--below the Thirty-third Street grade.