MISS FARREN.  Certainly.

     [She comes back to MRS. WESTERN, and stands by her side; as
     she raises her arm MRS. WESTERN jumps up and seizes it by the
     wrist.

MRS. WESTERN.  My bracelet!

[Keeping a tight hold of MISS FARREN’S wrist, she holds it at arm’s length.  There is a general cry of amazement—­the JUDGE and his wife start to their feet—­HARVEY rushes eagerly towards her.

JUDGE.  Alice!

MRS. BANKET.  Oh!

HARVEY.  No, no—­

     [These three exclamations are simultaneous.

MRS. WESTERN.  There it is!  She took it!

JUDGE.  Are you sure?

HARVEY. [Breathless and urgent.] 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 this girl!  Look at her—­she knows!