"What do you mean by talking to me about favours?" replied Andréas, "and what do you complain of? You offered me ten thousand francs for a ring, and I accepted your offer. Did I not give you the ring?"
"Yes, you did, but you omit to mention, that the stone you gave me was a false one."
"Ah! Mon Dieu!" coolly replied Andréas. "I am far from denying it. I repeated that to you so often, that you must recollect it. Besides, did you not, when paying me the ten thousand francs, say you knew the stone was false, but that you very much wished to possess it?"
"Do not let us play upon words, sir, but let us come to the point. You are going to give me the ring you cheated me out of."
"To avoid all discussion on the subject, I tell you, once for all, that I have never had any other ring in my possession, than the one I delivered to you."
"If that be the case, you will not mind copying this, and sending it to your mistress?"
"Let me see what it's about," said Andréas, taking the paper from Béroli. He read as follows:—
"My dearest,—I hope to make some money in the house from which I pen these lines, but I require my diamond ring for the affair. Bring it to me yourself, to the address I enclose, and do not entrust it to any one else. The bearer of this note will give you my keys. At eleven o'clock precisely, I shall be at the door awaiting you. Take a carriage, so as to be punctual.
"Andréas.
"22, Rue Meslay."
"Nothing will induce me to write that," exclaimed Andréas.
"I will not solicit you long," said Béroli. "Will you do it, Yes or No?"