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 lighted up by the sparkling jewels, that it