d, which diamonds she told me were to be mine. Mine! One
day, at dinner-time, between the entrees and the roast, a cab drove away
from my relative's house containing the box wherein lay the diamonds.
John laid the dessert, brought the coffee, waited all the evening--and
oh, how frightened he was when he came to learn that his mistress's box
had been conveyed out of her own room, and it contained diamonds--"Law
bless us, did it now?" I wonder whether John's subsequent career has
been prosperous? Perhaps the gentlemen from Bow Street were all in the
wrong when they agreed in suspecting John as the author of the robbery.
His noble nature was hurt at the suspicion. You conceive he would not
like to remain in a family where they were mean enough to suspect him
of stealing a jewel-box out of a bedroom--and the injured man and my
relatives soon parted. But, inclining (with my usual cynicism) to think
that he did steal the valuables, think of his life for the month or two
whilst he still remains in the service! He shows the officers over the
house, agrees with them that the coup must have been made by persons
familiar with it; gives them every assistance; pities his master and
mistress with a manly compassion; points out what a cruel misfortune it
is to himself as an honest man, with his living to get and his family
to provide for, that this suspicion should fall on him. Finally he takes
leave of his place, with a deep, though natural melancholy that ever
he had accepted it. What's a thousand pounds to gentle-folks! A loss,
certainly, but they will live as well without the diamonds as with them.
But to John his Hhhonor was worth more than diamonds, his Hhonor was.
Whohever is to give him back his character? Who is to prevent hany one
from saying, "Ho yes. This is the footman which was in the family where
the diamonds was stole?" &c.

I wonder has John prospered in life subsequently? If he is innocent
he does not interest me in the least. The interest of the case lies in
John's behavior supposing him to be guilty. Imagine the smiling face,
the daily service, the orderly performance of duty, whilst within John
is suffering pangs lest discovery should overtake him. Every bell of
the door which he is obliged to open may bring a police officer. The
accomplices may peach. What an exciting life John's must have been for a
while. And now, years and years after, when pursuit has long ceased, and
detection is impossible, does he ever reve