goods are not readily recognizable. In equity our contention would
lie, in law it would collapse. M. Gobseck 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?'