Well, I suppose someone else did it.
One of the maids.'
'No, sir.
Mrs Danvers went into the room before the girl had done the room.
Nobody had been there since Madam yesterday, and Robert first thing with the flowers.
It makes it very unpleasant for Robert and myself, sir.'
'Yes, of course it does.
Well you had better ask Mrs Danvers to come here and we'll get to the bottom of it.
What ornament was it, anyway?'
'The china cupid, sir, that stands on the writing-table.'
'Oh!
Oh, Lord.
That's one of our treasures, isn't it?
It will have to be found.
Get hold of Mrs Danvers at once.'
'Very good, sir.'
Frith left the room and we were alone again.
'What a confounded nuisance,' said Maxim; 'that cupid is worth a hell of a lot.
How I loathe servants' rows too.
I wonder why they come to me about it.
That's your job, sweetheart.'
I looked up from Jasper, my face red as fire.
'Darling,' I said,
'I meant to tell you before, but — but I forgot.
The fact is I broke that cupid when I was in the morning-room yesterday.'
'You broke it?
Well, why the devil didn't you say so when Frith was here?'
'I don't know.
I didn't like to.
I was afraid he would think me a fool.'
'He'll think you much more of a fool now.
You'll have to explain to him and Mrs Danvers.'
'Oh, no, please, Maxim, you tell them.
Let me go upstairs.'
'Don't be a little idiot.
Anyone would think you were afraid of them.'
'I am afraid of them.
At least, not afraid, but The door opened, and Frith ushered Mrs Danvers into the room.
I looked nervously at Maxim.
He shrugged his shoulders, half amused, half angry.
'It's all a mistake, Mrs Danvers.
Apparently Mrs de Winter broke the cupid herself and forgot to say anything,' said Maxim.
They all looked at me.
It was like being a child again.
I was still aware of my guilty flush.
'I'm so sorry,' I said, watching Mrs Danvers,
'I never thought Robert would get into trouble.'
'Is it possible to repair the ornament, Madam?' said Mrs Danvers.
She did not seem to be surprised that I was the culprit.
She looked at me with her white skull's face and her dark eyes.