My poor little purse will leave my girl to rely on her natural attractions--with small help from the jeweler and the milliner, on her wedding day." Mr.Keller referred to his letter again, and looked up from it with a grim smile.
"My sister will in one respect at least anticipate the assistance of the jeweler," he said.

"She proposes to bring with her, as a present to the bride, an heirloom on the female side of our family.

It is a pearl necklace (of very great value, I am told) presented to my mother by the Empress Maria Theresa--in recognition of services rendered to that illustrious person early in life.

As an expression of my sister's interest in the marriage, I thought an announcement of the proposed gift might prove gratifying to you." Madame Fontaine clasped her hands, with a fervor of feeling which was in this case, at least, perfectly sincere.

A pearl necklace, the gift of an Empress, would represent in money value a little fortune in itself.