"In such times as we had before these vile republicans drove all the
strangers from Paris, and when our commerce was good," she said, "I
might have offered seven francs and a half for that thimble; but, as things
are now, the last sou I can think of giving is five francs."

"The gold is very good, madame," Adrienne observed, in a voice half-
choked, "they told my grandmother the metal alone was worth thirteen."

"Perhaps, mademoiselle, they might give that much at the mint, for there
they coin money; but, in this shop, no one will give more than five francs
for that thimble."

Had Adrienne been longer in communion with a cold and heartless
world, she would not have submitted to this piece of selfish extortion;
but, inexperienced, and half frightened by the woman's manner, she
begged the pittance offered as a boon, dropped her thimble, and made
a hasty retreat. When the poor girl reached the street, she began to
reflect on what she had done. Five francs would scarcely support her
grandmother a week, with even the wood and wine she had on hand,
and she had no more gold thimbles to sacrifice. A heavy sigh broke
from her bosom, and tears stood in her eyes. But she was wanted at
home, and had not the leisure to reflect on her own mistake.



CHAPTER VI.

Occupation is a blessed relief to the miserable. Of all the ingenious
modes of torture that have ever been invented, that of solitary