spoke hesitatingly.

"I am afraid we cannot buy them," he said. "It would be impossible,
unless your friends first gave their permission."

"Impossible!" said Elizabeth, and tears rose in her eyes, making them
look softer and more wistful than ever.

"We could not do it," said the jeweller. "It is out of the question under
the circumstances."

"Do you think," faltered the poor little saint, "do you think that nobody
will buy them?"

"I am afraid not," was the reply. "No respectable firm who would pay
their real value. If you take my advice, young lady, you will take them
home and consult your friends."

He spoke kindly, but Elizabeth was overwhelmed with disappointment. She
did not know enough of the world to understand that a richly dressed
little girl who offered valuable jewels for sale at night must be a
strange and unusual sight.

When she found herself on the street again, her long lashes were heavy
with tears.

"If no one will buy them," she said, "what shall I do?"

She walked a long way--so long that she was very tired--and offered them
at several places, but as she chanced to enter only respectable shops,