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280 "Nay," replied the actress, "it is worth far more!" "We may keep it by us," replied the pawnbroker, "for months; there is no demand for such articles." "But," exclaimed she, eagerly, "I shall soon redeem it!" "So you all say," returned the man, with imperturbable coolness. "Ah!" cried Lavinia, "I will answer for redeeming it in a month '"

"We hear the same story every day," was the answer. "But I shall have plenty of money in a few weeks!" interrupted Lavinia. "Then you will not care for your old ornaments: you will go and buy new!" replied the man. The actress laughed out, with something of the recklessness that was part of her nature. The man looked up in dismay from his desk, the one behind the counter opened his small black eyes with a gaze of stupid wonder—laughter was there such an unfamiliar sound.