oint him when he saw it, and that it was to be in his hands on the
eighteenth of March, his wife's birthday. Never before had I had such an
opportunity for a large stroke of business. Naturally elated, I entered
at once into correspondence with the best known dealers on the other
side, and last week a diamond was delivered to me which seemed to fill
all the necessary requirements. I had never seen a finer stone, and was
consequently rejoicing in my success, when some one, I do not remember
who now, chanced to speak in my hearing of the wonderful stone possessed
by a certain Mrs. Fairbrother--a stone so large, so brilliant and so
precious altogether that she seldom wore it, though it was known to
connoisseurs and had a great reputation at Tiffany's, where it had once
been sent for some alteration in the setting. Was this stone larger and
finer than the one I had procured with so much trouble? If so, my labor
had all been in vain, for my patron must have known of this diamond and
would expect to see it surpassed.

"I was so upset by this possibility that I resolved to see the jewel and
make comparisons for myself. I found a friend who agreed to introduce
me to the lady. She received me very graciously and was amiable enough
until the subject of diamonds was broached, when she immediately
stiffened and left me without an opportunity of proffering my request.
However, on every other subject she was affable, and I found it easy
enough to pursue the acquaintance till we were almost on friendly terms.
But I never saw the diamond, nor would she talk about it, though I
caused her some surprise when one day I drew out before her eyes the one
I had procured for my patron and made her look at it. 'Fine,' she cried,
'fine!' But I failed to detect any envy in her manner, and so knew that
I had not achieved the object set me by my wealthy customer. This was a
woeful disappointment; yet, as Mrs. Fairbrother never wore her diamond,
it was among the possibilities that he might be satisfied with the very
fine gem I had obtained for him, and, influenced by this hope, I sent
him this morning a request to come and see it tomorrow. Tonight I
attended this ball, and almost as soon as I enter the drawing-room I
hear that Mrs. Fairbrother is present and is wearing her famous jewel.
What could you expect of me? Why, that I would make an effort to see it
and so be ready with a reply to my exacting customer when he should ask
me to-morrow if the sto