"O Lizzie Heartwell! At the first glimpse of that sweet, but
half-forgotten face, I fell, like a helpless thing that I was, to
the floor, prostrate with emotion. How long I remained thus overcome
by sorrow and weeping, I know not. I knew nothing till the old
familiar voice, harsh, cold, and cruel, fell upon my ear as the door
opened.

"'Leah Mordecai, why are you lying there crying like a booby? What's
the matter with you?' said my mother.

"Involuntarily I hushed my sobs, dried my tears, and arose to my
feet.

"'What have you there, baby?' she continued.

"Without a word I handed her the casket, and as she regarded the
sweet, mild face with cruel scorn, she said:

"'What's this you are blubbering over? Didn't you ever see a
painted-faced doll before? Who gave you this?'

"'My father,' I replied fearfully; 'and it's the picture of my
mother, my own dear mother that's dead.'

"My reply seemed to enrage her, and she said, 'The diamonds are
beautiful, but I can't say as much for the face. I suppose you
consider that you have no mother now; from all this whimpering. See
here, Leah,' she added as a sudden thought seemed to strike her,
'You are too young to keep such a costly gift as this. I'll take it,
and keep it myself till you have sense enough to know what diamonds