“His excellency,” interrupted Beausire, “understands diamonds perfectly. The Portuguese nobility play with the diamonds of Brazil, as children do here with glass beads.”
“Whatever it may be, however,” said Bœhmer, “this necklace is the finest collection of diamonds in all Europe.”
“That is true,” said Manoël.
Then Beausire went on: “Well, M. Bœhmer, her majesty the Queen of Portugal has heard of this necklace, and has given M. de Souza a commission to buy it, if he approved of the diamonds, which he does. Now, what is the price?”
“1,600,000 francs.”
Beausire repeated this to the ambassador.
“It is 100,000 francs too much,” replied Manoël.
“Monseigneur,” replied the jeweler, “one cannot fix the exact price of the diamonds on a thing like this. It has been necessary, in making this collection, to undertake voyages, and make searches and inquiries which no one would believe but myself.”
“100,000 francs too dear,” repeated Manoël.
“And if his excellency says this,” said Beausire, “it must be his firm conviction, for he never bargains.”