Rather less, I hope. But do you
think it would have been any better for you if you hadn't lost it, and had
got some good of it, as you say?"
She was silent yet again.
"If you hadn't lost it you would most likely have been a great deal worse
for it than you are--a more wicked woman altogether."
"I'm not a wicked woman."
"It is wicked to steal, is it not?"
"I didn't steal it."
"How did you come by it, then?"
"I found it."
"Did you try to find out the owner?"
"No. I knew whose it was."
"Then it was very wicked not to return it. And I say again, that if you had
not lost the sovereign you would have been most likely a more wicked woman
than you are."
"It was very hard to lose it. I could have given it back. And then I
wouldn't have lost my character as I have done this day."
"Yes, you could; but I doubt if you would."
"I would."
"Now, if you had it, you are sure you would give it back?"
"Yes, that I would," she said, looking me so full in the face that I was
sure she meant it.
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