is too honest a man to deny that the sale was
a profitable transaction, more especially as my conscience, no less than
my duty, compels me to make the admission. But once bring the case into
a court of law, M. le Comte, the issue would be doubtful. My advice to
you is to come to terms with M. Gobseck, who can plead that he bought
the diamonds in all good faith; you would be bound in any case to return
the purchase money. Consent to an arrangement, with power to redeem
at the end of seven or eight months, or a year even, or any convenient
lapse of time, for the repayment of the sum borrowed by Mme. la
Comtesse, unless you would prefer to repurchase them outright and give
security for repayment.'

"Gobseck dipped his bread into the bowl of coffee, and ate with perfect
indifference; but at the words 'come to terms,' he looked at me as
who should say, 'A fine fellow that! he has learned something from
my lessons!' And I, for my part, riposted with a glance, which he
understood uncommonly well. The business was dubious and shady; there
was pressing need of coming to terms. Gobseck could not deny all
knowledge of it, for I should appear as a witness. The Count thanked me
with a smile of good-will.

"In the debate which followed, Gobseck showed greed enough and skill
enough to baffle a whole congress of diplomatists; but in the end I
drew up an instrument, in which the Count acknowledged the receipt of
eighty-five thousand francs, interest included, in consideration of
which Gobseck undertook to return the diamonds to the Count.

"'What waste!' exclaimed he as he put his signature to the agreement.
'How is it possible to bridge such a gulf?'

"'Have you many children, sir?' Gobseck asked gravely.

"The Count winced at the question; it was as if the old money-lender,
like an experienced physician, had put his finger at once on the sore
spot. The Comtesse's husband did not reply.

"'Well,' said Gobseck, taking the pained silence for answer, 'I know
your story by heart. The woman is a fiend, but perhaps you love her
still; I can well believe it; she made an impression on me. Perhaps,
too, you would rather save your fortune, and keep it for one or two of
your children? Well, fling yourself into the whirlpool of society, lose
that fortune at play, come to Gobseck pretty often. The world will say
that I am a Jew, a Tartar, a usurer, a pirate, will say that I have
ruined you! I snap my fingers at them! If anybody insults me, I