down her tears. "Tell
us more, Auntie. Can nothing be done? You don't think it was stolen?"

"No--I feel sure I dropped it. I remember now that it was not securely
fastened. That is what vexes me so terribly--to think it was my own
fault! Oh, Sylvia--oh, Molly, when I saw it was gone I felt as if I
should go out of my mind! It was just as I came out of the bank that I
missed it, but it may have dropped some minutes before. I was
hesitating as to whether I should have time to walk home, or if I
should take a _coupe_ so as to get back to you quicker, my dears----"

"And we had made all so cosy for you--such a dear little tea--just look,
Auntie;" and herself casting a glance round at their pretty
preparations, Molly's tears flowed afresh.

"I had a presentiment," said Sylvia. "But go on, Auntie."

"And I looked at my watch--I mean, I was going to do so," continued
Auntie, "and found it was gone. Of course I ran back to the bank, but it
was not there. I rushed up and down the street and asked everybody I
saw--I even went into some of the shops--I am afraid I must have seemed
quite dazed. Then my only idea was to get back to you, so I called a
_coupe_ and----" here poor Auntie broke down again.

"And is there nothing to be done?" repeated Sylvia.

"The coachman," said Auntie, "the coachman advised me to go to the
'commissaire de police' nearest to where I lost it. I have the name of
the street. So now that I have seen you, I will go there at once," and
she rose as she spoke. "Take my bag, Molly dear," she added, handing it
to her. "The money is in it."

"It is a good thing _it_ wasn't lost too," said Molly, whose spirits
were already beginning to reassert themselves. "But, Auntie, you must
have some tea before you go. It is _quite_ ready."

Auntie, whose hand was already on the door, was beginning to refuse when
Sylvia interrupted. "Yes, Auntie dear, you _must_," she said. "And while
you are taking it, it will give me time to get ready."

"You, my child! I will not let you come--with your cold too."

"My cold is very little, Auntie dearest; I must come--I should come,"
she added pleadingly. "You can't go about by yourself, so upset as you
are too. _Grandmother_ told me I was to take care of you. Yes, Molly
dear, I know you would go, but I am a year and nine months older,"
continued Sylvia, rising to the dignity of her nineteen years. "It is
right I should go."

She gained the day, and so did Molly, to the extent