uch investments is one reason for the high value
set upon precious stones. As the merchant cannot lose the interest of
his money, this additional sum, joined to the rise and fall to which
such merchandise is subject, explains the difference between the price
of purchase and the price of sale. By owning these diamonds you have
lost the interest on three hundred thousand francs for twenty years.
If you wear your jewels ten times a year, it costs you three thousand
francs each evening to put them on. How many beautiful gowns you could
buy with that sum. Those who own diamonds are, therefore, very
foolish; but, luckily for us, women are never willing to understand the
calculation."

"I thank you for explaining it to me, and I shall profit by it."

"Do you wish to sell?" asked Magus, eagerly.

"What are the other jewels worth?"

The Jew examined the gold of the settings, held the pearls to the light,
scrutinized the rubies, the diadems, clasps, bracelets, and chains, and
said, in a mumbling tone:--

"A good many Portuguese diamonds from Brazil are among them. They are
not worth more than a hundred thousand to me. But," he added, "a dealer
would sell them to a customer for one hundred and fifty thousand, at
least."

"I shall keep them," said Madame Evangelista.

"You are wrong," replied Elie Magus. "With the income from the sum they
represent you could buy just as fine diamonds in five years, and have
the capital to boot."

This singular conference became known, and corroborated certain rumors
excited by the discussion of the contract. The servants of the house,
overhearing high voices, supposed the difficulties greater than they
really were. Their gossip with other valets spread the information,
which from the lower regions rose to the ears of the masters. The
attention of society, and of the town in general, became so fixed on
the marriage of two persons equally rich and well-born, that every one,
great and small, busied themselves about the matter, and in less than a
week the strangest rumors were bruited about.

"Madame Evangelista sells her house; she must be ruined. She offered her
diamonds to Elie Magus. Nothing is really settled between herself and
the Comte de Manerville. Is it probable that the marriage will ever take
place?"

To this question some answered yes, and others said no. The two
notaries, when questioned, denied these calumnies, and declared that
the difficulties arose only from the official