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60

._] 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 into trouble. If Harvey says--

MRS. BANKET. [_Contemptuously._] He's saying it to shield her, that's all.

HARVEY. [_Indignantly._] I'm not. It's not true. But you mustn't bring such an accusation. It's monstrous. And I won't allow--

MRS. WESTERN. [_Drawing herself up._] You--won't--allow! The girl takes my bracelet--and you won't allow!

Miss FARREN. [_Trying to free herself._] Mrs. Western, I haven't, I haven't!

JUDGE. [_Impressively._] Alice, will you listen to me?

MRS. WESTERN. No, I won't! This doesn't concern you, or any one, but me and t

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