hair gently.

"'Of my five-franc piece--of a five-franc piece,' said Pierre, correcting
himself, and leaving out the word my, half fearful lest Virginie should
inquire how he became possessed of such a sum, and for what services it
had been given him. But, of course, no such idea came into her head, for
it would have been impertinent, and she was gentle-born.

"'Wait a moment, my lad,' and going to the one small drawer in the inner
apartment, which held all her few possessions, she brought back a little
ring--a ring just with one ruby in it--which she had worn in the days
when she cared to wear jewels. 'Take this,' said she, 'and run with it
to a jeweller's. It is but a poor, valueless thing, but it will bring
you in your five francs, at any rate. Go! I desire you.'

"'But I cannot,' said the boy, hesitating; some dim sense of honour
flitting through his misty morals.

"'Yes, you must!' she continued, urging him with her hand to the door.
'Run! if it brings in more than five francs, you shall return the surplus
to me.'

"Thus tempted by her urgency, and, I suppose, reasoning with himself to
the effect that he might as well have the money, and then see whether he
thought it right to act as a spy upon her or not--the one action did not
pledge him to the other, nor yet did she make any conditions with her
gift--Pierre went off with her ring; and, after repaying himself his five
francs, he was enabled to bring Virginie back two more, so well had he
managed his affairs. But, although the whole transaction did not leave
him bound, in any way, to discover or forward Virginie's wishes, it did