hey comes to they hasn't to
change theirselves."

Bunfit's advice, founded on much experience, was good, and Lizzie
gradually came to herself and opened her eyes. She immediately
clutched at her breast, feeling for her key. She found it unmoved,
but before her finger had recognised the touch, her quick mind had
told her how wrong the movement had been. It had been lost upon Mrs.
Carbuncle, but not on Mr. Bunfit. He did not at once think that she
had the diamonds in her desk; but he felt almost sure that there was
something in her possession,--probably some document,--which, if
found, would place him on the track of the diamonds. But he could
not compel a search. "Your ladyship'll soon be better," said Bunfit
graciously. Lizzie endeavoured to smile as she expressed her assent
to this proposition. "As I was a saying to the elder lady--"

"Saying to who, sir?" exclaimed Mrs. Carbuncle, rising up in wrath.
"Elder, indeed!"

"As I was a venturing to explain, these fits of fainting come often
in our way. Thieves, mum,--that is, the regulars,--don't mind us a
bit, and the women is more hardeneder than the men; but when we has
to speak to a lady, it is so often that she goes off like that! I've
known 'em do it just at being looked at."

"Don't you think, sir, that you'd better leave us now?" said Mrs.
Carbuncle.

"Indeed you had," said Lizzie. "I'm fit for nothing just at present."

"We won't disturb your ladyship the least in life," said Mr. Bunfit,
"if you'll only just let us have your keys. Your servant can be with
us, and we won't move one tittle of anything." But Lizzie, though she
was still suffering that ineffable sickness which always accompanies
and follows a real fainting-fit, would not surrender her keys.
Already had an excuse for not doing so occurred to her. But for a
while she seemed to hesitate. "I don't demand it, Lady Eustace," said
Mr. Bunfit, "but if you'll allow me to say so, I do think it will
look better for your ladyship."

"I can take no step without consulting my cousin, Mr. Greystock,"
said Lizzie; and having thought of this she adhered to it. The
detective supplied her with many reasons for giving up her keys,
alleging that it would do no harm, and that her refusal would create
infinite suspicions. But Lizzie had formed her answer and stuck
to it. She always consulted her cousin, and always acted upon his
advice. He had already cautioned her not to take any steps without
his sanction. She wo