At length the talk wandered on to the late robberies and the
Rajah's Diamond.
"That diamond would be better in the sea," observed Prince
Florizel.
"As a Vandeleur," replied the Dictator, "your Highness may imagine
my dissent."
"I speak on grounds of public policy," pursued the Prince. "Jewels
so valuable should be reserved for the collection of a Prince or
the treasury of a great nation. To hand them about among the
common sort of men is to set a price on Virtue's head; and if the
Rajah of Kashgar - a Prince, I understand, of great enlightenment -
desired vengeance upon the men of Europe, he could hardly have gone
more efficaciously about his purpose than by sending us this apple
of discord. There is no honesty too robust for such a trial. I
myself, who have many duties and many privileges of my own - I
myself, Mr. Vandeleur, could scarce handle the intoxicating crystal
and be safe. As for you, who are a diamond hunter by taste and
profession, I do not believe there is a crime in the calendar you
would not perpetrate - I do not believe you have a friend in the
world whom you would not eagerly betray - I do not know if you have
a family, but if you have I declare you would sacrifice your
children - and all this for what? Not to be richer, nor to have
more comforts or more respect, but simply to call this diamond
yours for a year or two until you die, and now and again to open a
safe and look at it as one looks at a picture.
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