Overjoyed that he bit the hook so greedily, I told him with transport: “Really, my dear uncle, you are too generous, and I ought to be apprehensive of intruding too much upon your goodness.” “No compliments, my dear nephew,” replied he, with precipitation; “I will lend you my diamonds with all my heart. To convince you, I will this moment go and choose some of the finest for your use.” Thus saying, he rose from table and went to his closet, whence he returned, and put into my hands a case containing jewels to the amount of from 7 to 8,000 franks. My three cousins seeing the old gentleman treat me in this kind manner did not wish to be thought less generous than he. They all promised to lend me some, and sure enough they brought me the next morning jewels to nearly the same amount. The most avaricious of the three came last, and in the course of a very long chat contrived to turn the conversation upon my benefice. He gave me to understand that if I was so well off as to wish to dispose of it, and would be inclined to resign it in favour of one of his own children, in preference to either of his cousins, a present of a hundred pistoles should accompany his thanks. I made answer, “that his eldest son having the advantage over all the other children in respect to age, certainly appeared to me the most proper to succeed to my benefice; but that having obtained it for nothing, I should resign it on the same terms, not being a man to make such sort of bargains.” I perceived plainly that this answer did not by any means displease him.