-night, Jim. Keep firm
to your pledge, and you'll not want friends here and above."

"Good-night, Thomas; and the Lord bless you for your kindness!"

And now, what was to be done? It was quite clear that the bag contained
the means of a triumphant establishment of Jane's innocence with Lady
Morville, and consequent freedom from all stain or slur on her
character. But was it possible to find the bag? The circumstances
connected with the bag's loss were communicated to the vicar, who helped
Bradly to institute every possible inquiry after it in a quiet way, for
they did not wish, especially on Jane's account, to make the matter a
nine days' wonder in Crossbourne by advertising. But all was in vain;
not the faintest clue could be got by which to trace it. Of course, it
might have been possible for Jane to ascertain through her brother
whether John Hollands had really left Monksworthy Hall, and whether or
no any of his evil practices had come to light since his departure.
And, supposing such discoveries to have been made, she might have
produced the letter signed "JH," and have shown its contents to Lady
Morville. But then Jane would naturally be expected to produce the bag
alluded to in the letter, or, at any rate, the companion bracelet which
was said to be in it; and the having to tell what would look like a
roundabout story concerning its loss would not be likely to leave a
thoroughly favourable impression on the mind of her late mistress.

Poor Jane! She felt that without the bracelet she could not hope to
claim a full and frank acknowledgment from her ladyship that her
innocence was completely vindicated. She must therefore wait, trust,
and be patient.

"Light has begun to dawn on your trouble, Jane," said the vicar; "and be
sure brighter light will follow. We must do our best, and leave it to
the Lord to carry out his own purposes in his own wise and gracious way.
Sure I am of this, that you will find the fuller light come in due
time; and, more than that, that you will see that good has all the while
been working out, through this trial, to others as well as to yourself."

"I'm sure you're right, sir," said Bradly; "she'll have cause in the end
even to bless the Lord for this affliction. And, after all, I don't see
why we shouldn't try and find out Hollands' whereabouts through some of
his old companions, when he's been a little while in foreign parts; and
if we write and tell him about the loss of th