After having read this letter, I assumed a troubled and mortified air; and having reflected for some time, I said to Sayavedra: “You do not, of course, know the purport of this epistle. Don Antonio requests the loan of my jewels, to decorate his intended wife on the day of their marriage. You well know,” continued I, “that I left all my diamonds at the Ambassador’s at Rome. Lose no time then in informing the Colonel, that I am much vexed that it is not in my power to oblige him.” “I fear, Sir,” replied the major-domo, “he will think it a mere evasion, and that you refuse him.” “He will do me great injustice by such a thought,” replied I; “sooner, therefore, than risk the possibility of such an idea, I would hire some jewels. I should imagine that if I place good security in the hands of some jeweller, he would be glad for a very trifling consideration to lend me what I want for two or three days.” “Who can doubt that,” said my uncle? “But why,” continued he, “need you be at the expence of hiring what you may have for nothing? Do you suppose that we have not as fine jewels as you can procure elsewhere; and are we not disposed to oblige you in any way? Your relations will take pleasure in obliging this or any friend of yours.” “Mendoza is certainly one of my best friends,” cried I; “he is a man of quality, who was very serviceable to me at Rome, and to whom I am indebted for my introduction to the Spanish Ambassador. The Colonel, whose regiment is at Milan, has won the heart of a rich widow in that city, who, in opposition to the wishes of some of her relations, has consented to espouse him. They are come hither, therefore, to solemnize their marriage. He is a man of the nicest honour, to whom I should not be under the slightest apprehensions in lending jewels to the value of 100,000 franks.” “Be he what he may,” interrupted Don Bertrand, “since he has expressed a wish to see his wife decorated with diamonds, he shall have that satisfaction.”