‘But what is the jewel worth?’ asked M. Simon.

’Millions, sir! and neither I nor any one else in the trade here could purchase 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 sum is to be paid in instalments, at long intervals.  It may therefore be more convenient for you, under your peculiar circumstances, to accept the offer I now make of a pension of 1500 francs, to revert after your decease to the servant whom you mentioned as so devotedly attached to you.  If you are willing to accept this offer, the bearer will hand you the necessary documents, by which you are to make over to me all further claim upon the property placed in my hands; and on your affixing your signature, he will pay you the first year in advance.

SIMON.’