“I am sorry to say,” returned the auctioneer, who really felt grieved for the disappointment he knew his words would occasion, “that we shall not be able to get any thing like that sum for the instrument. Three hundred dollars will be a maximum price, and it may bring less if it goes under the hammer. Persons who come to auction for pianos, generally have a low price in their minds, and cannot be tempted to go much beyond it, no matter how superior the article may be.” “When is your next sale?” asked Eunice, in a voice whose huskiness the auctioneer perceived with regret. “Not for a week.” “Indeed!” Eunice spoke in a disappointed tone. “I must have the money for it sooner than that.” “You do not want it to-day, do you?” “Yes; to-day, if possible. How much could you advance me upon it?” “It is your own instrument?” Eunice hesitated a moment, and then said, with an effort at composure, “Yes, sir. But I am compelled to part with it.” “I do not think we would be willing to advance more than a hundred dollars.” “A hundred dollars!” The tone of her voice betrayed the surprise and disappointment Eunice felt. “Can’t you advance me a larger sum?” “I should not like to say more at present,” replied Lee; “but if you will call this afternoon, between four and five o’clock, I will see if something better cannot be done.” Eunice was retiring, when he said, “Miss Townsend, I believe?” “Yes, sir, that is the name.” And Eunice again drew her veil over her face, and quickly retired, feeling sadly disappointed. She next called at the store of a jeweler, with the diamond pin, watches, bracelets, etc. Here a bitterer disappointment awaited her. The jeweler refused either to buy or advance, merely offering to place the goods in his case for sale, and appearing indifferent about that. His manner, moreover, Eunice felt to be very disagreeable. There was too much at stake for utter discouragement to succeed to this failure of the self-devoted girl’s ardent wishes. At the next store where she applied, she met with a kinder reception, but with no better success. The owner of it discouraged her from making further attempts at selling these articles, and alarmed her by hinting that suspicion might attach to her, and involve her in some unpleasant difficulties. The anxious desire she felt to realize some money upon the diamond pin and watches, caused her to urge the jeweler strongly to advance one or two hundred dollars upon them, but he firmly declined doing so. Eveline and her mother awaited the return of Eunice in doubt and hope. A gush of tears told the story of her ill success. “Only a hundred dollars!” said Eveline, after her sister had grown calm enough to relate what had occurred. “That will be nothing. It can do father no good.”