I will swear to you by my soul's salvation, my faith as a Christian, I have told everything to you as it occurred, and as the recording angel will tell it to the ear of God at the day of the last judgment!" "'Tis well," said the abbe, convinced by his manner and tone that Caderousse spoke the truth.

"'Tis well, and may this money profit you! Adieu; I go far from men who thus so bitterly injure each other." The abbe with difficulty got away from the enthusiastic thanks of Caderousse, opened the door himself, got out and mounted his horse, once more saluted the innkeeper, who kept uttering his loud farewells, and then returned by the road he had travelled in coming.

When Caderousse turned around, he saw behind him La Carconte, paler and trembling more than ever.

"Is, then, all that I have heard really true ?" she inquired.
"What?
That he has given the diamond to us only ?" inquired Caderousse, half bewildered with joy; "yes, nothing more true! See, here it is." The woman gazed at it a moment, and then said, in a gloomy voice, "Suppose it's false ?" Caderousse started and turned pale.

"False!" he muttered.
"False! Why should that man give me a false diamond ?" "To get your secret without paying for it, you blockhead!" Caderousse remained for a moment aghast under the weight of such an idea.