aining the value of these diamonds, and of keeping the right of
repurchase?' She held out a jewel-case.

"'Yes, madame,' I put in, and came forwards.

"She looked at me, and a shudder ran through her as she recognized me,
and gave me the glance which means, 'Say nothing of this,' all the world
over.

"'This,' said I, 'constitutes a sale with faculty of redemption, as it
is called, a formal agreement to transfer and deliver over a piece of
property, either real estate or personalty, for a given time, on the
expiry of which the previous owner recovers his title to the property in
question, upon payment of a stipulated sum.'

"She breathed more freely. The Count looked black; he had grave doubts
whether Gobseck would lend very much on the diamonds after such a fall
in their value. Gobseck, impassive as ever, had taken up his magnifying
glass, and was quietly scrutinizing the jewels. If I were to live for
a hundred years, I should never forget the sight of his face at that
moment. There was a flush in his pale cheeks; his eyes seemed to have
caught the sparkle of the stones, for there was an unnatural glitter in
them. He rose and went to the light, holding the diamonds close to his
toothless mouth, as if he meant to devour them; mumbling vague words
over them, holding up bracelets, sprays, necklaces, and tiaras one after
another, to judge their water, whiteness, and cutting; taking them out
of the jewel-case and putting them in again, letting the play of the
light bring out all their fires. He was more like a child than an old
man; or, rather, childhood and dotage seemed to meet in him.

"'Fine stones! The set would have fetched three hundred thousand
francs before the Revolution. What water! Genuine Asiatic diamonds from
Golconda or Visapur. Do you know what they are worth? No, no; no one in
Paris but Gobseck can appreciate them. In the time of the Empire such a
set would have cost another two hundred thousand francs!'

"He gave a disgusted shrug, and added:

"'But now diamonds are going down in value every day. The Brazilians
have swamped the market with them since the Peace; but the Indian stones
are a better color. Others wear them now besides court ladies. Does
madame go to court?'

"While he flung out these terrible words, he examined one stone after
another with delight which no words can describe.

"'Flawless!' he said. 'Here is a speck!... here is a flaw!... A fine
stone that!'

"His haggard face was so