She was lying now gazing calmly out of the window. Her hands were folded on her lap. The knitting she had been trying to accomplish had tumbled unheeded to the floor. When the bank-note rustled in my hand Hetty turned and looked at me. I got up and gave it to her. "This is for you," I said. "I have had a letter from a friend of ours, and he has sent you this." "Oh!" she exclaimed. She clasped the note in both her hands. "Ten pounds!" she repeated. "Rosamund," she continued, "I never had so much money as this in all my life before." "Well, make good use of it, dear child," I said. "Put it away safely now. You'll be sure to want it." "But ought not I to thank your friend?" "I'll do that for you. I'll be sure to say something very pretty." Hetty looked at the ten-pound note as if she loved it. Then she stretched out her hand, and proffered it back to me. "You had better have it, Rosamund. You buy everything that we want. Take it, and spend it, won't you? You must need it very badly." "No, no, no! This is your own nest-egg, and no one else shall touch it. See, I will put it into your purse; I know where your little empty purse is, Hetty. I will put this nice crisp note into it. Is it not jolly to have so much laid by?" "Yes," said Hetty, "I feel delightfully rich." She closed her eyes, smiling, wearied, happy. In the sleep which followed she smiled again, more than once. She was thinking of Jack, and of the good things she could buy for him out of this purse of Fortunatus. On the following day I was to go back to Lady Ursula to receive my ruby ring. As I sat and worked by Hetty's side, I planned how I would take the little excursion in the morning, bring back the ring, and amuse my sister in the afternoon by telling her the story of it. I carried out the early part of this programme exactly as I had mapped it before my eyes on this peaceful afternoon. The next morning found me at an early hour ringing the ponderous bell under the heavy portico of the great house in Grosvenor Street. The liveried footman once more put in his appearance, and I was taken once again to Lady Ursula's pretty rose-coloured bower. It was empty when I entered. "Her ladyship will be with you in a minute or two," said the man, as he closed the door behind the tapestry. I sat back in an easy-chair, and waited. It was very nice to wait in this pretty room. I felt quite easy in my mind, and not at all anxious. Circumstances had improved for me during the last fortnight. Hetty was getting well. Jack was better. Exposure and disgrace were averted. In short, the heavy pressure of expectant calamity was withdrawn, and life smiled at me with its every-day face. I thought how glad I should be to have my little ring again--my pretty romantic treasure should be more prized than ever. Nothing should induce me to part with it again.