"Consequently, madame," continued Thomery....
His visitor laughed.
"Monsieur, you have very quickly made up your mind that I have nothing interesting to offer you! I have not come to offer you ordinary jewels...."
It was Thomery's turn to smile slightly.
"I quite understand, madame, that you should think your merchandise exceptional.... But once more ..."
The broker interrupted the sugar refiner with a movement of her hand.
"Do listen to me a moment, monsieur!... Though I am a diamond broker, diamonds are not what I have come to ask you to purchase ... it is a question of something quite different...."
She paused deliberately: Thomery gazed at her without saying a word.
"You know, monsieur," continued the broker, "that in such a business as mine, one is obliged to see a great many jewellers every day; well, in the course of my peregrinations, I found at a jeweller's—you must allow me to withhold his name—some pearls, which I am certain you will find are a wonderful bargain...."
"For the last time, madame, I do not want a wonderful bargain!"