here is no instance of a lapidary having ever
pilfered anything, however miserable and destitute his condition."

"How much for this necklace?" inquired M. d'Harville.

"M. le Marquis will observe that the stones are of a splendid water and
cut, and nearly all of a size."

"These oratorical prefaces threaten your purse," said M. de Saint-Remy,
with a laugh. "Now, my dear D'Harville, look out for a high price."

"Come, M. Baudoin, have a conscience, and ask the price you mean to
take!" said M. d'Harville.

"I will not haggle with your lordship. The lowest price is forty-two
thousand francs (11,680_l._)."

"Gentlemen," exclaimed M. de Lucenay, "let us who are married admire
D'Harville in silence. A man who contrives a surprise for his wife to
the amount of forty-two thousand francs! _Diable!_ we must not noise
that abroad, or it would be a detestable precedent."

"Laugh on, gentlemen, as much as you please," said the marquis, gaily.
"I love my wife, and am not ashamed to confess it; on the contrary, I
boast of it."

"It is plain enough to be seen," said M. de Saint-Remy; "such a present
speaks more eloquently than all the protestation in the world."

"I will take this necklace, then," said M. d'Harville, "if the setting
of black enamel seems to you in good taste, Saint-Remy."

"Oh, it sets off the brilliancy of the stones; it is exquisitely
devised."

"Then this it shall be," said M. d'Harville. "You will settle, M.
Baudoin, with M. Doublet, my man of business."

"M. Doublet told me as much, my lord marquis," said the jeweller, who
quitted the apartment, after having packed up his bag without counting
the jewels which he had brought (such was his confidence), and
notwithstanding M. de Saint-Remy had for a long time and curiously
handled and examined them during the interview.

M. d'Harville gave the necklace to Joseph, who was waiting, and said to
him, in a low tone:

"Mlle. Juliette must put these diamonds cleverly away with those of her
mistress, so that la marquise may not suspect; and then her surprise
will be the greater."

At this moment the _maitre d'hotel_ announced that the breakfast was
ready; and the guests, passing into the dining-room, seated themselves.

"Do you know, my dear D'Harville," said M. de Lucenay, "that this house
is one of the most elegant and best arranged in Paris?"

"It is very convenient, certainly, but we want room; I have a plan to
add a gallery on the garden. Madame d'