h my banker for the present; to sell them here would be a
needless sacrifice of them."

"And yet, Senhor, I would willingly be the purchaser of that gem," said
he, as he stood, fascinated by the lustre of the stone, from which he
could not take his eyes. "If six thousand five hundred piastres--"

"I have said ten to a friend, my honest Israelite," interrupted I.

"I am but a poor man, your Excellency,--a poor struggling, hard-working
man,--content if he but gain the humblest profit by his labor; say,
then, seven thousand piastres, and I will sell my mules to make up the
amount."

"I will say twelve, and not a doubloon less," Senhor Judio; "but a
friend may have it for ten."

"Ah, if your 'Alteza' would but say eight! Eight thousand piastres
counted down upon the table in honest silver," said he; and the tears
stood in his eyes as he supplicated.

"Be it so," said I, "but upon one condition. Should you ever reveal
this, or should you speak of the transaction in any way, there is no
manner of evil and mischief I will not work you. If it cost me half my
fortune, I will be your ruin; for I refused to part with that same
to the Primate of Seville, and he would never forgive me if the story
should reach his ears."

The Jew wished the Patriarchs to witness his oath of secrecy; and though
each of us was well aware that the other was lying, somehow we seemed
satisfied by the exchange of our false coinage. I suppose we acted on
the same principle as the thieves who could not keep their hands out of
each other's pockets, although they knew well there was nothing there.

Whatever the Jew's suspicion of the means by which I had become
possessed of such wealth, he prudently thought that he might reap more
profit by falling in with my plans than by needlessly scrutinizing my
character; and, so far, he judged wisely.

The contract for the carriage I completed on the spot, and having
engaged the servants and ordered their liveries,--plain suits of brown,
with gold tags, aiguilettes,--I gave directions for my own wearing
apparel, in a style of costly magnificence that confirmed me in the
title of "Alteza," given by all who came in contact with me. These
occupations occupied the entire morning, and it was only late in the
afternoon that I had spare time to recreate myself by a walk in the
garden of the inn before dinner,--a promenade which, I am free to own,
was heightened in its enjoyment by the rich rustling sounds of my heavy