Let me think--what was the year again!' 'Never mind the year,' said the impatient auditor; 'what about her ?' 'Ay,' murmured the sick woman, relapsing into her former drowsy state, 'what about her ?--what about--I know!' she cried, jumping fiercely up: her face flushed, and her eyes starting from her head--'I robbed her, so I did! She wasn't cold--I tell you she wasn't cold, when I stole it!' 'Stole what, for God's sake ?' cried the matron, with a gesture as if she would call for help.
'_It_!' replied the woman, laying her hand over the other's mouth.

'The only thing she had.

She wanted clothes to keep her warm, and food to eat; but she had kept it safe, and had it in her bosom.

It was gold, I tell you! Rich gold, that might have saved her life!' 'Gold!' echoed the matron, bending eagerly over the woman as she fell back.

'Go on, go on--yes--what of it?
Who was the mother?
When was it ?' 'She charge me to keep it safe,' replied the woman with a groan, 'and trusted me as the only woman about her.