What she next said came from her without premeditation.

Her tongue seemed to speak independently of her will.
'One thing I have said that was not true.

It was not money that slipped down, but my ring.

I had taken it off and laid it on the Prayer-book.' 'Your ring ?' he repeated, with cold surprise.

'Do you always take your ring off in church, then ?' As soon as the words were spoken she had gone deadly pale.