n had,
as it were, raised his daughter from the grave--as she had fallen into a
state of profound melancholy, which nothing could remove--that he had
very cautiously introduced the subject, and by degrees told her what was
reported, and eventually, when he found that she was more composed, that
he had put Philip's letter into her hand.

He concluded that he trusted that I would arrive, and soon, for if any
accident was now to happen to me it would be the death of his daughter,
who had not strength enough left to bear another reverse. At my request
Philip then wrote that he had received a letter from a brother officer
stating that I was well and safe on board, and that they would be in
England a few days after the receipt of the letter.

Leaving directions to Philip how to proceed, I now went off to London,
and, having fitted myself out with every requisite of dress and toilet,
I called upon a celebrated Jew diamond merchant and showed him my
diamond, requesting that he would weigh it and then estimate its value.
He was much astonished at the sight of such a stone, as well he might
be, and after weighing it and examining it he pronounced it worth 47,000
pounds, provided a purchaser could be found for an article of such
value.

I told him that I was not a merchant, and could not be travelling about
to show the diamond to crowned heads; but if he would give me a liberal
price for it, I would abate a great deal, that he might dispose of it to
his own advantage, he requested that he might call upon me with two of
his friends, that they might see the diamond and consult with him; and
then he would give me an answer. We fixed the time for twelve o'clock
on the following day, and I took my leave.

The next day he called at the time appointed, accompanied by two
gentlemen of his own persuasion. They weighed the stone again very
carefully, examined it in the light of a powerful lamp to ascertain its
water, and to see if there were any flaws in it, calculated the
reduction of weight which would take place in cutting it, and, after a
consultation, I was offered 38,000 pounds. I considered this an offer
that I ought not to refuse, and I closed with them. The next day the
affair was settled. I received money and bills on government to the
amount, and wrote to Philip telling him what had taken place. Strange
that from two slaves in the mines I should have received such valuable
legacies; from poor Ingram a diamond worth so