The result is, that, although I daresay nobody has
recognized any difference in my way of doing business, there is one
who must know a great difference: I now think of my neighbour's
side of the bargain as well as of my own, and abstain from doing
what it would vex me to find I had not been sharp enough to prevent
him from doing with me. In consequence, I am not so rich this day
as I might otherwise have been, but I enjoy life more, and hope the
days of my ignorance God has winked at."
Cosmo could not reply for pleasure. Mr. Burns saw his emotion, and
understood it. From that hour they were friends who loved each
other.
"And now for the ring!" said the jeweller.
Cosmo produced it.
Mr. Burns looked at it as if his keen eyes would pierce to the very
heart of its mystery, turned it every way, examined it in every
position relative to the light, removed it from its setting, went
through the diamond catechism with it afresh, then weighed it,
thought over it, and said,
"What do you take the stone to be worth, Mr. Warlock?"
"I can only guess, of course," replied Cosmo; "but the impression
on my mind is, that it is worth more nearly two hundred than a
hundred and fifty pounds."
"You are right," answered Mr. Burns, "and you ought to have
followed my trade; I could make a good jeweller of you. This ring
is worth two hundred guineas, fair market-value. But as I can ask
for no one more than it is absolutely worth, I must take my profit
off you: do you think that is fair?"
"Perfectly," answered Cosmo.
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