A woman was bending over the chest; she had the velvet cover raised, and the lid an inch or two; she had come on the scene at what had been delicate moment for Violet Forster, and that young lady had returned the compliment in kind. She retained her presence of mind in a very creditable manner. One felt as one looked at her that she might be used to being found in delicate positions. She said nothing, but she never moved--she kept just still, and she looked Miss Forster in the face with eyes which betrayed no hint of nervousness. Even the scornful something which was in Miss Forster's tone when she did speak, did not seem to cause her the least discomfort. "I thought it was you." "Did you really?" The thing was said so demurely that it was hard to tell from the tone alone if the intention was to be impertinent. "What are you doing there?" "I was just going to see what it was that I saw you put in this chest last night." "So you did see? I thought that also--I begin to understand." There was something in the girl's tone which the other seemed to resent. "I confess I don't; but I hope to presently. Pray, miss, what do you begin to understand?" "You were in league with him last night; you were--his confederate." "His confederate, Miss Forster! What do you mean? With whom was I in league?" "Oh, you do it very well; I've no doubt that this is the sort of thing in which practice has made you perfect. Now I understand how you came to be in possession of my locket." The woman seemed to have a trick of repeating the girl's words. "How I came to be in possession of your locket? I don't understand, Miss Forster, what you are talking about; will you please to make yourself plainer? I never did like insinuations." "Was he concealed in the house last night, or did you let him in? But you must have seen him earlier in the day, or you could hardly have had the locket when you did." It was a second or two before the other answered; when she did, it was in a tone which hinted resentment at Miss Forster's manner.