This
gentleman said, "What have you got there?"
"Well, sir," said the man, "it was left at our hotel by a young couple
from these parts. Handsome couple they were, sir, and spending their
honey-moon."
"Let me see it," said Mr. Bartley, for he was the gentleman. He had come
back in some anxiety to see whether Hope had pacified Mary, or whether
he must exert himself to make matters smooth with her again. Whilst he
was examining the bracelet, who should appear but Percy Fitzroy, the
owner. Not that he came after the bracelet; on the contrary, that
impetuous young gentleman had discovered during the last two hours that
he valued Miss Clifford's love a great deal more than all the bracelets
in the world, for all that he was delighted at the unexpected sight of
his property.
"Why, that's mine," said he. "It's an heirloom. I lent it to Miss Julia
Clifford, and when I asked her for it to-day she could not produce it."
"Oho!" said Mr. Bartley. "What, do the ladies of the house of Clifford go
in for clandestine marriages?"
"Certainly not, sir," said Fitzroy.
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