scals that
which, had it been converted into ready money, would have supported the
rank of a gentleman for some months, and enabled me, at the same time,
to oblige my friends. Stupified as I was, I could easily divine the
source of his concern, but sneaked away in a solitary manner, without
yielding the least answer to his expostulations; and began to deliberate
within myself in what manner I should attempt to retrieve the movables I
had so foolishly lost. I should have thought it no robbery to take
them again by force, could I have done it without any danger of being
detected; but, as I could have no such opportunity, I resolved to work
by finesse, and go immediately to the lodgings of Straddle, where I
was so fortunate as to find him. "My Lord," said I, "I have just now
recollected, that the diamond I had the honour of presenting to you
is loosened a little in the socket, and there is a young fellow just
arrived from Paris, who is reckoned the best jeweller in Europe; I knew
him in France; and, if your lordship will give me leave, will carry the
ring to him to be set to rights." His lordship was not to be caught
in this snare; he thanked me for my offer, and told me, that, having
himself observed the defect, he had sent it to his own jeweller to be
mended; and, indeed, by this time I believe it was in the jeweller's
hands, though not in order to be mended, for it stood in need of no
alteration.

Balked in this piece of politics, I cursed my simplicity; but resolved
to play a surer game with the earl, which I thus devised. I did not
doubt of being admitted into familiar conversation with him, as before,
and hoped by some means to get the watch into my hand; then, on pretence
of winding or playing with it, drop it on the floor, when, in all
probability, the fall would disorder the work so as to stop its motion;
this event would furnish me with an opportunity of insisting upon
carrying it away in order to be repaired, and then I should be in no
hurry to bring it back. What pity it was I could not find an occasion of
putting this fine scheme in execution! When I went to renew my visit to
his lordship, my access to the parlour was as free as ever; but after I
had waited for some time, the valet-de-chambre came in with his lord's
compliments, and a desire to see me to-morrow at his levee, he being at
present so much indisposed that he could not see company. I interpreted
this message into a bad omen, and came away muttering