rchase it, unless as a joint concern, and in case of a coronation or
a marriage in one of the royal houses of Europe, for such an occasion
alone could make it not a risk to buy it. But meanwhile I will, if you
wish, mention it to some of the trade.'

'I am in no hurry,' said Simon, almost bewildered by the possession of
such a treasure. 'I may as well wait for some such occasion, and in
the meantime can make any necessary advances to the abbess. Perhaps I
may call on you again.'

The first day of the year 1795 had just dawned, and there was a thick
and chilling fog. The abbess and her faithful servant felt this day
more than usually depressed, for fifteen months had now elapsed since
the 1500 francs had been received for the ruby, and there now remained
provision only for a few days longer. 'I have got no answer from M.
Simon,' said the abbess; and in giving utterance to her own thought,
she was replying to what was at that moment passing through Margaret's
mind. 'I fear he has not been able to get more for the ruby than he
thinks fair interest for the money he advanced to me.'

'It is most likely,' said Margaret; and both relapsed into their
former desponding silence.

'What a dreary New-Year's Day!' resumed Madame de Vatteville, in a
melancholy tone.

'Oh, why can I not help you, dear mistress?' exclaimed Margaret,
suddenly starting from her reverie. 'Cheerfully would I lay down my
life for you!'

'And why can I not return in any way your devoted attachment, my poor
Margaret?'

At this instant, two loud and hurried knocks at the door startled them
both from their seats, and it was with a trembling hand Margaret
opened it to admit the old porter, and a servant with a letter in his
hand.

'Thank you, thank you, M. Thiebaut: this letter is for my mistress.'
But the inquisitive old man either did not or would not understand
Margaret's hint to him to retire, and Madame de Vatteville was obliged
to tell him to leave the room.

'Not a penny to bless herself with, though she has come to a better
apartment!' muttered he, enraged at the disappointment to his
curiosity--'and yet as proud as an aristocrat!'

The abbess approached the casement, broke the seal with trembling
hand, and read as follows:--

'I have at length been able to treat with a merchant for the
article in question, and have, after much difficulty,
obtained a sum of 25,000 francs--far beyond anything I could
have hoped. But the