by a man's own merit--not that of his ancestors. Fear not, madam: in my
house he shall know no slight."

Ursula was moved from her pride by the kindness of Nina: she approached
with involuntary reverence, and kissed the Signora's hand--

"May our Lady reward your noble heart!" said she: "and now my mission is
ended, and my earthly goal is won. Add only, lady, to your inestimable
favours one more. These jewels"--and Ursula drew from her robe a casket,
touched the spring, and the lid flying back, discovered jewels of great
size and the most brilliant water,--"these jewels," she continued,
laying the casket at Nina's feet, "once belonging to the princely house
of Thoulouse, are valueless to me and mine. Suffer me to think that they
are transferred to one whose queenly brow will give them a lustre it
cannot borrow."

"How!" said Nina, colouring very deeply; "think you, madam, my kindness
can be bought? What woman's kindness ever was? Nay, nay--take back the
gifts, or I shall pray you to take back your boy."

Ursula was astonished and confounded: to her experience such abstinence
was a novelty, and she scarcely knew how to meet it. Nina perceived her
embarrassment with a haughty and triumphant smile, and then, regaining
her former courtesy of demeanour, said, with a grave sweetness--

"The Tribune's hands are clean,--the Tribune's wife must not be
suspected. Rather, madam, should I press upon you some token of exchange
for the fair charge you have committed to me. Your jewels hereafter may
profit the boy in his career: reserve them for one who needs them."