’Thus Geldern had hatred as one reason for ruining the Princess, and it is my belief he had a stronger motive still—­interest.  You remember whom the Duke married, after the death of his first wife?—­ a princess of the house of F——.  Geldern built his fine palace two years after, and, as I feel convinced, with the money which was paid to him by the F——­family for forwarding the match.

’To go to Prince Victor, and report to his Highness a case which everybody knew, was not by any means Geldern’s desire.  He knew the man would be ruined for ever in the Prince’s estimation who carried him intelligence so disastrous.  His aim, therefore, was to leave the matter to explain itself to his Highness; and, when the time was ripe, he cast about for a means of carrying his point.  He had spies in the houses of the elder and younger Magny; but this you know, of course, from your experience of Continental customs.  We had all spies over each other.  Your black (Zamor, I think, was his name) used to give me reports every morning; and I used to entertain the dear old Duke with stories of you and your uncle practising picquet and dice in the morning, and with your quarrels and intrigues.  We levied similar contributions on everybody in X——­, to amuse the dear old man.  Monsieur de Magny’s valet used to report both to me and Monsieur de Geldern.

’I knew of the fact of the emerald being in pawn; and it was out of my exchequer that the poor Princess drew the funds which were spent upon the odious Lowe, and the still more worthless young Chevalier.  How the Princess could trust the latter as she persisted in doing, is beyond my comprehension; but there is no infatuation like that of a woman in love:  and you will remark, my dear Monsieur de Balibari, that our sex generally fix upon a bad man.’

‘Not always, madam,’ I interposed; ’your humble servant has created many such attachments.’

‘I do not see that that affects the truth of the proposition,’ said the old lady drily, and continued her narrative.  ’The Jew who held the emerald had had many dealings with the Princess, and at last was offered a bribe of such magnitude, that he determined to give up the pledge.  He committed the inconceivable imprudence of bringing the emerald with him to X——­, and waited on Magny, who was provided by the Princess with money to redeem the pledge, and was actually ready to pay it.’

’Their interview took place in Magny’s own apartments, when his valet overheard every word of their conversation.  The young man, who was always utterly careless of money when it was in his possession, was so easy in offering it, that Lowe rose in his demands, and had the conscience to ask double the sum for which he had previously stipulated.

’At this the Chevalier lost all patience, fell on the wretch and was for killing him; when the opportune valet rushed in and saved him.  The man had heard every word of the conversation between the disputants, and the Jew ran flying with terror into his arms; and Magny, a quick and passionate, but not a violent man, bade the servant lead the villain downstairs, and thought no more of him.