"Five pounds." He might have been doubting her word, but he was only, it appeared, gathering emphasis.

"It would be dear--to make a gift of--at five shillings.

If it had cost you even but five pence I wouldn't take it from you." "Then," she asked, "what IS the matter ?" "Why, it has a crack." It sounded, on his lips, so sharp, it had such an authority, that she almost started, while her colour, at the word, rose.

It was as if he had been right, though his assurance was wonderful.

"You answer for it without having looked ?" "I did look.