"Is Charlie downstairs?"
"No, he has gone back to work."
"Lizzie, will you help me if it is in your power?"
"Ah, that I will--gladly!"
"I have a presentiment that a great crisis in my life is approaching. I must not stir out of the house; I am waiting for a letter." She took her purse from her pocket, and counted the money in it; there were altogether but a very few shillings. "I want money, Lizzie," she said, casting her eyes rapidly around, and collecting all the small articles in the room upon which money could be raised. She retained but one article of value--a miniature of herself, set in a slender framework of gold. "Run and see what you can get upon these things, Lizzie; the desk was a valuable one in years gone by. I want every shilling I can raise."
"I can lend you a little, Mrs. Lenoir."
".God reward you, my dear! I Will take it. You shall be repaid, if I live."
"I know that. Why, Mrs. Lenoir!" she had caught sight of the bank-notes on the table.
"It is traitor's money, Lizzie, left by the man who was here a few minutes since. A curse, instead of a blessing might fall upon me if I used one penny of it."
At five o'clock in the afternoon, Mrs. Lenoir received the following note: