Even aunt Sophie had been softened at that moment, and had shown some tenderness to the orphan child.

"You are to keep it always for her sake," aunt Sophie had said; and Nina had hitherto kept the trinket, when all other things were gone, in remembrance of her mother.

She had hitherto reconciled herself to keeping her little treasure, when all other things were going, by the sacredness of the deposit; and had told herself that even for her father's sake she must not part with the gift which had come to her from her mother.

But now she comforted herself by the reflection that the necklace would produce for her enough to repay her father that present from Ziska which she had taken from him.

Her father had pleaded sorely to be allowed to keep the notes.