"Well, miss,"--Madame Leroy's tone was now decidedly angry,--"seeing how very anxious you were last night for the immediate loan of five pounds, you have a mighty independent way with you. Lady Ursula Redmayne, indeed! I can tell you it isn't every one as has the privilege of getting letters from Lady Ursula." While Madame Leroy was speaking I had a great many flashes of thought. Her first words recalled me to myself. A girl who had come in desperation to hire out a family trinket for what she could get for it, was surely inconsistent when she disdained even the suggestion of a future patron. Lady Ursula, whoever she was, would buy the ring. Of course she must not have it, I must be a great deal harder pressed before I could consent to part with my Talisman, my "Open Sesame" into the Land of Romance. But I knew that I _did_ want money. I wanted twenty pounds before Monday, if I would help Jack--I wanted further money if I would continue to assist his wife. All these thoughts, as I say, flashed through me, and by the time Madame Leroy had finished speaking, I had quite altered my tone. "I am sorry to appear rude," I said. "I know you were very kind to help me last night. Will you please tell me what Lady Ursula says about my ring?" "Candidly, my dear, she wants to buy it from you. Here is her letter. She says:-- "`Dear Madame Leroy,--You must get me that lovely ruby ring at any price. I refuse to part from it. Name a price, and I will send you a cheque.' "There's a chance for you," said Madame Leroy, flinging down her letter. "You can't say I have not been a good friend to you after that letter. Name any price in reason for that old ring, and you shall have it--my commission being twenty per cent." "But I don't wish to sell the ring, Madame Leroy." "I am sorry, Miss Lindley, I am afraid you have no help for yourself. Lady Ursula Redmayne intends to buy it." This was not at all the right kind of thing to say to me. I was very proud, and all my pride flashed into my face. "You think because I am poor, and Lady Ursula is rich, that she is to have my property?" I said. "You must send a messenger for the ring at once. I will wait here until he returns." Poor Madame Leroy looked absolutely stupefied. "I never met such a queer young lady," she said. "How can I send a message of that sort? Why, it will offend my best, my very best customer. If you have no pity on yourself, Miss Lindley, you ought to have some on me." "What can I do for you, Madame Leroy? I cannot sell the ring." "Well, you might go yourself to Lady Ursula. She is eccentric. She might take a fancy to you. You might go to her, and explain your motives, which are more than I can understand. And above all things you might exonerate me; you might explain to her that I did my best to get the ring for her." "I could certainly do that." "Will you?" "I will go to Lady Ursula, if it does not take up too much of my time."