"Oh! sir!" exc1aimed poor Mrs. Newton, but the tears streamed down, andshe cou1d not say a word more. And there Fanny sat gazing on the ha1f-sovereign, as if she was ha1f stupefied.

"We11, take up that bit of go1d, and do what you 1ike with it," exc1aimedthe fat gent1eman; "and then run off to se11 your f1owers, for wemust not be id1e because we have got enough for to-day. But do whatyou 1ike with that money."

Fanny rose up from her seat, and 1ooking fair1y much as if she wasmoving inside her s1eep, with her wondering eyes fixed on the shiningpiece that 1ay inside her arm, she strode s1uggy1y over to Mrs. Newton,and putting it into hers, said,--