g's clear, my lady: I can't
stay here, to be suspected of robbing your ladyship. I've not lost my
character yet, if Jane's lost hers. But, at any rate, she has got your
ladyship's bracelet; you found her with it yourself. Now, as she has
got the one, she'll know, of course, where the other is. You may be
sure, my lady, that the same person as took the one took the pair. It
ain't likely there were two thieves in the case. If I might be so bold,
I would, if I were in your ladyship's place, ask her to produce _both_
the bracelets, and restore them to you; and when she's done that, it
will be for your ladyship to say whether you do or do not believe her to
be innocent, and that she's told the truth about my pencil-case.'

"Nobody said anything for a minute, for it were plain as Lady Morville
were very much grieved and perplexed. At last she turns to Jane, and
says, `You hear what Georgina says, Jane; it is not unreasonable. Two
bracelets have been taken, and one of the pair is found on you. I
cannot say how you came by it, but it seems most likely that you must
know where the other is. Produce it, and the matter shall go no
further. I've always had the highest opinion of you up to this moment;
and if sudden temptation in this case has led you into a sin, the best
and wisest thing for you to do is just to own it, and to give up the
other bracelet, and then the matter shall drop there, and we will all
agree that by-gones shall be by-gones, for the best among us may be
overtaken in a fault.' But by this time poor Jane had recovered herself
a bit. She dried her tears, and, looking her mistress steadily in the
face, said, `I have told your ladyship the simple truth, and nothing but
the truth; and I appeal to your ladyship, have you ever found me out in
any untruthfulness or deceit all these years as you've knowed me? I see
plainly enough why Mr Hollands and Georgina have been plotting this
cruelty against me; but it would, I know, be of no use if I was to tell
your ladyship what their carryings on has been--I should not be
believed. But there's One whose eyes are in every place, beholding the
evil and the good, and he will set it all right when he sees it to be
best, and he'll clear my character.'

"No more were said at that time; but in the afternoon Lady Morville
sends for Jane, and has her in her own room by herself, and she tells
her as appearances are very much against her; but as she'd never knowed
anything