Page:A M Williamson - The Motor Maid.djvu/345

Rh so much that I forgot what I 'd put into the bag already, and what I had n't."

"Lady T. does n't know I went back to her room."

"I 'll tell her!" I cried.

"I 'll bet you 'll tell her, right enough. But I can tell a different story. I 'll say I did n't go near the room. My story will be that I was walkin' through the woods this afternoon on my way to Charretier's château when I saw you with the thing in your hands, lookin' at it. Probably goin' to ask the shuvver to dispose of it for you—what? and share profits."

"Oh, you coward!" I exclaimed, and snatched the diamond brooch from him.

Instantly he let go my dress, laughing.

"That's right! That's what I wanted," he said. "Now you 've got it, and you can keep it. I 'll tell Lady T. where to look for it—unless you 'll change your mind, and give me that kiss."

I was so angry, so stricken with horror and a kind of nightmare fear which I had not time to analyze, that I stood silent, trembling all over, with the brooch in my hand. How silly I had been to play his game for him, just like the poor stupid cat who pulled the hot chestnut out of the fire! I don't think any chestnut could ever have been as hot as that bursting sun!

I wanted to drop it in the grass, or throw it as far as I could see it, but dared not, because it would be my fault that it was lost, and Lady Turnour would believe Bertie's story all the more readily. She would think he had seen me with the jewel, and that I 'd hidden it because I was afraid of what he might do.