And to prick the sides of this intent
came another spur, as will be seen from the letter she wrote:
"Dear Mary, can you tell me what is become of my large sapphire
ring? I have never seen it since you brought my case up with you
from Cornwall. I have been looking for it all the morning, but in
vain. You _must_ have it. I shall be lost without it, for
you know it has not its equal for color and brilliance. I do not
believe you intended for a moment to keep it, but only to punish
me for thinking I could do without you. If so, you have your
revenge, for I find I can not do without either of you--you or
the ring--so you will not carry the joke further than I can bear.
If you can not come at once, write and tell me it is safe, and I
shall love you more than ever. I am dying to see you again. Yours
faithfully, H. R."
By this time, Letty was much better, and Tom no longer required
such continuous attention; Mary, therefore, betook herself at
once to Mr. Redmain's. Hesper was out shopping, and Mary went to
her own room to wait for her, where she was glad of the
opportunity of getting at some of the things she had left behind
her.
"While she was looking for what she wanted, Sepia entered, and
was, or pretended to be, astonished to see her. In a strange,
sarcastic tone:
"Ah, you there!" she said. "I hope you will find it."
"If you mean the ring, that is not likely, Miss Yolland," Mary
answered.
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