Calmed by this first outburst, madame kept the necklace and ear-rings, which she was wearing, and brought the other jewels, valued at one hundred and fifty thousand francs by Elie Magus. Accustomed to the sight of family diamonds in all valuations of inheritance, Maitre Mathias and Solonet examined these jewels in their cases and exclaimed upon their duty.
“You will lose nothing, after all, upon the ‘dot,’ Monsieur le comte,” said Solonet, bringing the color to Paul’s face.
“Yes,” said Mathias, “these jewels will meet the first payment on the purchase of the new estate.”
“And the costs of the contract,” added Solonet.
Hatred feeds, like love, on little things; the least thing strengthens it; as one beloved can do no evil, so the person hated can do no good. Madame Evangelista assigned to hypocrisy the natural embarrassment of Paul, who was unwilling to take the jewels, and not knowing where to put the cases, longed to fling them from the window. Madame Evangelista spurred him with a glance which seemed to say, “Take your property from here.”
“Dear Natalie,” said Paul, “put away these jewels; they are yours; I give them to you.”
Natalie locked them into the drawer of a console. At this instant the noise of the carriages in the court-yard and the murmur of voices in the receptions-rooms became so loud that Natalie and her mother were forced to appear. The salons were filled in a few moments, and the fete began.
“Profit by the honeymoon to sell those diamonds,” said the old notary to Paul as he went away.
While waiting for the dancing to begin, whispers went round about the marriage, and doubts were expressed as to the future of the promised couple.
“Is it finally arranged?” said one of the leading personages of the town to Madame Evangelista.