"I was sure of it!" cried the Lady Clotilde. "She was crying because she was afraid she would be discovered. I insist that she be brought before us and that she be accused of her crime." "But let her not be accused harshly," said the little princess, who had been listening intently to all that had been said. "The maid may not be guilty; but if so, and it is her first offense, let us be merciful." "All I ask is my moonstone pendant, your Highness," said the Lady Clotilde. "And although I think she should be severely punished for taking it from me, still she is not my servant and I have no right to insist upon her chastisement." A page was sent to notify Cimburga that she was wanted, and she came at once, glancing about the room to see what there was for her hands to do, for she supposed that she had been sent for to perform a task. "Let me question her, Madame," said the Lady Clotilde, and reluctantly the countess consented to oblige her guest, though she felt that she could best have managed the matter herself. "What have you done with the locket you took from my casket yesterday afternoon?" asked the Lady Clotilde harshly. The girl, who was pretty, and timid as a fawn of the wildwood, opened wide her eyes, and, gazing at the questioner in surprise, made no reply. "I say," went on her tormentor in a louder tone, "what did you do with the ornament you took from my box yesterday? You slipped it out, you know, while I was sipping the wine you brought me." "I, lady? I do not know of what you are speaking," replied Cimburga, in amazement. "You know perfectly well of what I am speaking. You took it from my casket, I heard you, though you may think I did not, and now where is it?" "I know nothing of it, Madame." "Come now, that kind of a reply will not do. You have my moonstone in your possession and you must restore it to me at once." "Madame, I am telling you the truth; I never have taken the smallest thing that did not belong to me, and of that my lady mistress will assure you." "I can attest the truth of that statement, Cimburga," said her mistress gently, "but if you have been tempted by the sparkle of gems,--and you have a girl's love for things that glitter, even though you are in a lowly walk in life,--if you have taken the lady's ornament, as she seems certain that you have done, restore it to her. And this being your first offense, I promise you that your punishment shall be light." "But, my mistress, how can I restore what I have not taken?" asked the girl simply. "Talk about this being her first offense; if so, I am quite sure it will not be her last one, for she is as hardened as one old in crime," said the Lady Clotilde. Then her mistress said, turning to the girl, "If you are innocent, if your conscience does not trouble you, why were you weeping this morning?" Cimburga made no reply, but putting her apron to her face, began to sob. "Come, answer me," said the countess gently.