Only, I would I had the power of God to pour all the gold of the world at thy feet." "Why gold ?" he asked.

He took her in his arms, pressed her to him and kissed her once more upon the forehead.

"Do you not give me the greatest of all riches in loving me as you do love me, my dear and precious wife ?" "Oh! my Balthazar, will you not drive away the anguish of our lives as your voice now drives out the misery of my heart?
At last, at last, I see that you are still the same." "What anguish do you speak of, dear ?" "My friend, we are ruined." "Ruined!" he repeated.

Then, with a smile, he stroked her hand, holding it within his own, and said in his tender voice, so long unheard: "To-morrow, dear love, our wealth may perhaps be limitless.

Yesterday, in searching for a far more important secret, I think I found the means of crystallizing carbon, the substance of the diamond.