REN. [_With a light laugh--then turning to_ MRS. WESTERN _again._]
Do you want me any more, Mrs. Western?

MRS. WESTERN. No, thanks. [MISS FARREN _turns to go_--MRS. WESTERN, _who
has suddenly cast an eager glance at her, as though attracted by
something, calls her back._] Oh, Miss Farren!

MISS FARREN. [_Turning._] Yes?

MRS. WESTERN. I wonder whether you'd be so good as to shift this aigrette
of mine--it's hurting me.

MISS FARREN. Certainly.

[_She comes back to_ MRS. WESTERN, _and stands by her side; as
she raises her arm_ MRS. WESTERN _jumps up and seizes it by the
wrist._

MRS. WESTERN. My bracelet!

[_Keeping a tight hold of_ MISS FARREN'S _wrist, she holds it at
arm's length. There is a general cry of amazement--the_ JUDGE
_and his wife start to their feet_--HARVEY _rushes eagerly
towards her._

JUDGE. Alice!

MRS. BANKET. Oh!

HARVEY. No, no--

[_These three exclamations are simultaneous._

MRS. WESTERN. There it is! She took it!

JUDGE. Are you sure?

HARVEY. [_Breathless and urgent._] Alice--

MISS FARREN. [_Recovering from her shock and bewilderment._] Mrs. Western,
it isn't--

MRS. WESTERN. [_Sternly, still holding the girl by the wrist._] You dare
to pretend--

HARVEY. [_Who is now at the back of his wife's chair, looking closely at
the bracelet._] Let me look, let me look.... I say, Alice, you're wrong.
It's not yours at all. The setting's different.

MRS. WESTERN. [_Angrily._] What do you mean, different? You think I don't
know my own bracelet? Are you mad? I say it's mine--and it is!

JUDGE. [_Stepping forward._] Alice, be careful--

MRS. WESTERN. Careful! You're as bad as he! Of course the thing's
mine--I've been wearing it for weeks--and you think I can make a mistake?
She found it, and took it.

MISS FARREN. [_Very distressed._] No, no, Mrs. Western, really! It isn't
yours! I assure you!

HARVEY. Alice, I declare to you--

MRS. WESTERN. [_Roughly._] Be quiet and go away. This is no business of
yours.

HARVEY. [_Eagerly._] But it is! It was I who bought the wretched
thing--well, I am prepared to swear that this isn't the one!

MRS. WESTERN. [_A little shaken, looking at it again._] You're prepared
to.... [_She lifts her head._] How can you talk such utter nonsense? There
is not the least doubt--not the least!

JUDGE. [_Stopping_ HARVEY, _who is about to protest violently._] Alice,
mind what you're saying. You'll get yourself