The countess was now certain that the trick would not succeed, and that she would have an opportunity of offering the diamond to Ivan on the pretext of repeating the experiment when the sun's rays would be more powerful.
Ivan, when he had found the proper spot outside the window, directed the rays from the apex of the burning-glass straight upon the saucepan, where the diamond was waiting the moment of its annihilation. The stone emitted a thousand sparks. As the sun's rays touched it, it threw out as many colors as are in the rainbow; it seemed as if it were to be the victor in this fight. All of a sudden the fiery rays condensed themselves in a narrower circle upon the doomed diamond, the small room was filled with a blinding light that turned everything into silver; not a shadow remained. Out of the saucepan shot a ball of fire like a flash of lightning; the next minute the burning-glass ceased to work.
Ivan still stood outside the window. He spoke to the countess, who was transfixed with astonishment.
"What is in the saucepan?" he asked.
"Nothing."
Ivan returned to the room, hung the mirror in its place, and returned to the countess her brooch without its centre stone.
The abbé could not help remarking, dryly, "That little drama is fit to be played before a queen."
But now the postilion blew his horn, the countess put on her fur pelisse, and was escorted to the carriage by Ivan. She was obliged to give him her hand, and to say the words, "God be with you."
When the carriage had gone a little way she said to the abbé, "That man is a sorcerer."
But the clergyman shook his head. "He is far worse; he is an inquirer into the secrets of nature."