The Count of Monte Cristo

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him in the prison at Nimes."

"Go on."

"The jeweller took the ring, and drawing from his pocket a pair of steel
pliers and a small set of copper scales, he took the stone out of its
setting, and weighed it carefully. 'I will give you 45,000,' said he,
'but not a sou more; besides, as that is the exact value of the stone,
I brought just that sum with me.'--'Oh, that's no matter,' replied
Caderousse, 'I will go back with you to fetch the other 5,000
francs.'--'No,' returned the jeweller, giving back the diamond and the
ring to Caderousse--'no, it is worth no more, and I am sorry I offered
so much, for the stone has a flaw in it, which I had not seen. However,
I will not go back on my word, and I will give 45,000.'--'At least,
replace the diamond in the ring,' said La Carconte sharply.--'Ah, true,'
replied the jeweller, and he reset the stone.--'No matter,' observed
Caderousse, replacing the box in his pocket, 'some one else will