Out of her sphere - University Library

CHECKMATE. 309
grey cloak, which Mrs. Thornton, trembling
with cold, wanted greatly. Her stage ex-
perience suggested a resource. She went
up to the woman, and asked her to change
dresses, telling her that the tide had over-
taken her, and wetted her through, giving
her the gold keeper off her hand to induce
her to make the exchange. She preferred
this to money, as she had only sovereigns
in her purse, and considered it might be
better to part with the ring. The bargain
was struck. Mrs. Thornton was soon
clothed in a short print dress, grey cloak,
and black straw bonnet ; and then she dis-
covered that her gold chain must have given
way, and that that and her watch had gone.
She must have left them in the Fort.
With the feeling of her own safety some-
thing of pity for her husband returned.
This woman might help him if she went to
look for the watch. She told her where
she had dropped it, telling her she was