Ain't that so ?" Lady Barbara had now begun to understand.

This man was accusing her of lying, if not of theft, while she sat powerless before him, incapable of speech.

Once, as the horror of his suspicion rose before her, she felt a wild impulse to cry out, even to throw herself on his mercy--telling him her story and Martha's suspicions.

Then the recollection of the cunning of the man, his vulgarity, his insincerity, slowly steadied her.

Her secret must be kept, and she must not anger him further.
"Perhaps, Mr.Mangan, if you came with me to my rooms, and saw my old--" she paused, then added softly, "the old woman I live with, and I showed you where the box is always kept and the way the door opens, perhaps you could help us to find out how it could have happened." Mangan rose and pushed back his chair.