It was Mary Belgrave whom we met at the pawnbroker's sale." "Mary Belgrave! Can it be possible?
I knew the family had become poor; but not so poor as this!" And Mr.Edwards, much disturbed in mind, walked uneasily about the floor.

But soon pausing, he said-- "And so her mother is dead!" "Yes.

Her father died two years ago and her mother, who has been sick ever since, died last week in abject poverty, leaving Mary friendless, in a world where the poor and needy are but little regarded.

The miniature which Mary had secretly pawned in order to supply the last earthly need of her mother, she sought by her labor to redeem; but ere she had been able to save up enough for the purpose, the time for which the pledge had been taken, expired, and the pawn broker refused to renew it.

Under the faint hope that she might be able to buy it in with the little pittance of money she had saved, she attended the sale where we found her." The merchant had resumed his seat, and although he had listened attentively to the Quaker's brief history, he did not make any reply, but soon became lost in thought.