'Stole my key!' said my father, staring at me perplexed, but at the same
instant producing it. 'Stole it! Why here it is!'

'She unlocked your desk; she read your papers for ever so long. Open it
now, and see whether they have not been stirred.'

He looked at me this time in silence, with a puzzled air; but he did unlock
the desk, and lifted the papers curiously and suspiciously. As he did so
he uttered a few of those inarticulate interjections which are made with
closed lips, and not always intelligible; but he made no remark.

Then he placed me on a chair beside him, and sitting down himself, told
me to recollect myself, and tell him distinctly all I had seen. This
accordingly I did, he listening with deep attention.

'Did she remove any paper?' asked my father, at the same time making a
little search, I suppose, for that which he fancied might have been stolen.

'No; I did not see her take anything.'

'Well, you are a good girl, Maud. Act discreetly. Say nothing to
anyone--not even to your cousin Monica.'

Directions which, coming from another person would have had no great
weight, were spoken by my father with an earnest look and a weight of
emphasis that made them irresistibly impressive, and I went away with the
seal of silence upon my lips.

'Sit down, Maud, _there_. You have not been very happy with Madame de la