The woman took the thimble and examined it, weighed it, and submitted
its metal to the test of the touchstone. It was a pretty thimble, though
small, or it would not have fitted Adrienne's finger. This fact struck the
woman of the shop, and she cast a suspicious glance at Adrienne's
hand, the whiteness and size of which, however, satisfied her that the
thimble had not been stolen.

{touchstone = a variety of black stone used to test the purity of gold, by
the streak it leaves when rubbed on the stone}

"What do you expect to receive for this thimble, mademoiselle?" asked
the woman, coldly.

"It cost a napoleon, madame, and was made expressly for myself."

"You do not expect to sell it at what it cost?" was the dry answer.

"Perhaps not, madame--I suppose you will look for a profit in selling it
again. I wish you to name the price."

This was said because the delicate ever shrink from affixing a value to
the time and services of others. Adrienne was afraid she might
unintentionally deprive the other of a portion of her just gains. The
woman understood by the timidity and undecided manner of the
applicant, that she had a very unpracticed being to deal with, and she
was emboldened to act accordingly. First taking another look at the
pretty little hand and fingers, to make certain the thimble might not be
reclaimed, when satisfied that it really belonged to her who wished to
dispose of it, she ventured to answer.