’Sheisworthallthecountyherself，’saidI，’andallEnglandputtogether；butshehasnothingworthhalfarickofhayuponher；fortheringIgavehercostonly，’——andhereIstopped，formotherwaslooking，andIneverwouldtellherhowmuchithadcostme；thoughshehadtriedfiftytimestofindout。
　　’Tush，thering!’TomFagguscried，withacontemptthatmovedme：’Iwouldneverhavestoppedamanforthat。Butthenecklace，yougreatoaf，thenecklaceisworthallyourfarmputtogether，andyourUncleBen’sfortunetothebackofit；ay，andallthetownofDulverton。’
　　’What，’saidI，’thatcommonglassthing，whichshehashadfromherchildhood!’
　　’Glassindeed!TheyarethefinestbrilliantseverI
　　seteyeson；andIhavehandledagoodmany。’
　　’Surely，’criedmother，nowflushingasredasTom’sowncheekswithexcitement，’youmustbewrong，ortheyoungmistresswouldherselfhaveknownit。’
　　Iwasgreatlypleasedwithmymother，forcallingLorna’theyoungmistress’；itwasnotdoneforthesakeofherdiamonds，whethertheywereglassornot；butbecauseshefeltasIhaddone，thatTomFaggus，amanofnobirthwhatever，wasspeakingbeyondhismark，incallingaladylikeLornaahelplesschild；aswellasinhisgeneraltone，whichdisplayednodeference。Hemighthavebeenusedtothequality，inthewayofstoppingtheircoaches，orroysteringathotelswiththem；butheneverhadmetahighladybefore，inequality，anduponvirtue；andwebothfeltthatheoughttohaveknownit，andtohavethankedusfortheopportunity，inaword，tohavebehavedagreatdealmorehumblythanhehadeventriedtodo。
　　’Trustme，’answeredTom，inhisloftiestmanner，whichAnniesaidwas’sonoble，’butwhichseemedtomeratherflashy，’trustme，goodmother，andsimpleJohn，forknowingbrilliants，whenIseethem。Iwouldhavestoppedaneight-horsecoach，withfourcarabinedout-riders，forsuchabootyasthat。Butalas，thosedaysareover；thoseweredaysworthlivingin。Ah，I
　　nevershallknowthelikeagain。Howfineitwasbymoonlight!’
　　’MasterFaggus，’beganmymother，withamannerofsomedignity，suchasshecouldsometimesuse，byrightofherintegrity，andthoroughkindnesstoeveryone，’thisisnotthetoneinwhichyouhavehithertospokentomeaboutyourformerpursuitsandlife，Ifearthatthespirits’——buthereshestopped，becausethespiritswereherown，andTomwasourvisitor，——’whatImean，MasterFaggus，isthis：youhavewonmydaughter’sheartsomehow；andyouwonmyconsenttothematterthroughyourhonestsorrow，andmanlyundertakingtoleadadifferentlife，andtouchnopropertybutyourown。Annieismyeldestdaughter，andthechildofamostuprightman。Iloveherbestofallonearth，nexttomyboyJohnhere’——heremothergavemeamightysqueeze，tobesurethatshewouldhavemeatleast——’andIwillnotriskmyAnnie’slifewithamanwhoyearnsforthehighway。’
　　Havingmadethisverylongspeechforher，mothercamehomeuponmyshoulder，andweptsothatbutforheedingherIwouldhavetakenTombythenose，andthrownhim，andWinnieafterhim，overourfarm-yardgate。ForIamviolentwhenroused；andfreelyherebyacknowledgeit；thoughevenmyenemieswillownthatittakesagreatdealtorouseme。ButIdoconsiderthegriefandtearswhenjustlycausedofmydearestfriends，tobeagreatdealtorouseme。
　　Nothingverylongabides，asthegreatestofallwritersinwhoseextentIamforeverlostinrapturedwonder，andyetforeverquiteathome，asifhisheartweremine，althoughhisbrainssodifferent，inawordasMr。WilliamShakespeare，ineveryoneofhisworksinsists，withahumouredmelancholy。AndifmyjourneytoLondonledtonothingelseofadvancement，ittookmeahundredyearsinfrontofwhatImightelsehavebeen，bythemostsimpleaccident。
　　Twowomenwerescoldingoneanotheracrosstheroad，veryviolently，bothfromupstairwindows；andIinmyhurryforquietlife，andnotknowingwhatmightcomedownuponme，quickenedmystepforthenearestcorner。
　　Butsuddenlysomethingfellonmyhead；andatfirstI
　　wasafraidtolook，especiallyasitweighedheavily。
　　Buthearingnobreakageofware，andonlytheotherscoldlaughingheartily，Iturnedmeaboutandespiedabook，whichonehadcastattheother，hopingtobreakherwindow。SoItookthebook，andtendereditatthedoorofthehousefromwhichithadfallen；butthewatchmancamealongjustthen，andthemanatthedoordeclaredthatitnevercamefromtheirhouse，andbeggedmetosaynomore。ThisIpromisedreadily，neverwishingtomakemischief；andIsaid，’Goodsir，nowtakethebook；Iwillgoontomybusiness。’Butheansweredthathewoulddonosuchthing；forthebookalone，beinghurledsohard，wouldconvicthispeopleofalewdassault；andhebeggedme，ifIwoulddoagoodturn，toputthebookundermycoatandgo。AndsoIdid：inpartatleast。ForIdidnotputthebookundermycoat，butwentalongwithitopenly，lookingforanytochallengeit。Nowthisbook，soacquired，hasbeennotonlythejoyofmyyoungerdays，andmaindelightofmymanhood，butalsothecomfort，andeventhehope，ofmynowdecliningyears。Inaword，itisnexttomyBibletome，andwritteninequalEnglish；
　　andifyouespyanygoodnesswhateverinmyownloosestyleofwriting，youmustnotthankme，JohnRidd，forit，butthewriterwhoholdsthechampion’sbeltinwit，asIoncedidinwrestling。
　　Now，asnothingverylongabides，itcannotbeexpectedthatawoman’sangershouldlastverylong，ifshebeatallofthepropersort。Andmymother，beingoneoftheverybest，couldnotlongretainherwrathagainsttheSquireFaggusespeciallywhenshecametoreflect，uponAnnie’ssuggestion，hownatural，andonemightsay，howinevitableitwasthatayoungmanfondofadventureandchangeandwinninggoodprofitsbyjeopardy，shouldnotsettledownwithoutsomeregretstoafixedabodeandalifeofsameness，howeversafeandrespectable。AndevenasAnnieputthecase，Tomdeservedthegreatercreditforvanquishingsonoblytheseyearningsofhisnature；anditseemedveryhardtoupbraidhim，consideringhowgoodhismotiveswere；
　　neithercouldAnnieunderstandhowmothercouldreconcileitwithherknowledgeoftheBible，andtheonesheepthatwaslost，andthehundredthpieceofsilver，andthemanthatwentdowntoJericho。
　　WhetherAnnie’slogicwasgoodandsound，IamsureI
　　cannottell；butitseemedtomethatsheoughttohavelettheJerichotravelleralone，inasmuchasheratherfellamongTomFagusses，thanresembledthem。However，herreasoningwastoomuchformothertoholdoutagainst；andTomwasreplaced，andmorethanthat，beingregardednowasaninjuredman。Buthowmymothercontrivedtoknow，thatbecauseshehadbeentooharduponTom，hemustberightaboutthenecklace，isapointwhichInevercouldclearlyperceive，thoughnodoubtshecouldexplainit。
　　Toproveherselfrightintheconclusion，shewentherselftofetchLorna，thatthetrinketmightbeexamined，beforethedaygrewdark。Mydarlingcamein，withaveryquickglanceandsmileatmycigarroforIwashavingthethirdbythistime，tokeepthingsinamity；andIwavedittowardsher，asmuchastosay，’youseethatIcandoit。’Andthenmotherledheruptothelight，forTomtoexaminehernecklace。
　　Ontheshapelycurveofherneckithung，likedewdropsuponawhitehyacinth；andIwasvexedthatTomshouldhavethechancetoseeitthere。Butevenifshehadreadmythoughts，oroutrunthemwithherown，Lornaturnedaway，andsoftlytookthejewelsfromtheplacewhichsomuchadornedthem。Andassheturnedaway，theysparkledthroughtherichdarkwavesofhair。
　　Thenshelaidtheglitteringcircletinmymother’shands；andTomFaggustookiteagerly，andboreittothewindow。
　　’Don’tyougooutofsight，’Isaid；’youcannotresistsuchthingsasthose，iftheybewhatyouthinkthem。’
　　’Jack，Ishallhavetotrouncetheeyet。Iamnowamanofhonour，andentitledtotheduello。Whatwillyoutakeforit，MistressLorna？Atahazard，saynow。’
　　’Iamnotaccustomedtosellthings，sir，’repliedLorna，whodidnotlikehimmuch，elseshewouldhaveansweredsportively，’Whatisitworth，inyouropinion？’
　　’Doyouthinkitisworthfivepounds，now？’
　　’Oh，no!Ineverhadsomuchmoneyasthatinallmylife。Itisverybright，andverypretty；butitcannotbeworthfivepounds，Iamsure。’
　　’Whatachanceforabargain!Oh，ifitwerenotforAnnie，Icouldmakemyfortune。’
　　’But，sir，Iwouldnotsellittoyou，notfortwentytimesfivepounds。Mygrandfatherwassokindaboutit；andIthinkitbelongedtomymother。’
　　’Therearetwenty-fiverosediamondsinit，andtwenty-fivelargebrilliantsthatcannotbematchedinLondon。Howsayyou，MistressLorna，toahundredthousandpounds？’
　　Mydarling’seyessoflashedatthis，brighterthananydiamonds，thatIsaidtomyself，’Well，allhavefaults；andnowIhavefoundoutLorna’s——sheisfondofmoney!’AndthenIsighedratherheavily；forofallfaultsthisseemstomeoneoftheworstinawoman。
　　Butevenbeforemysighwasfinished，Ihadcausetocondemnmyself。ForLornatookthenecklaceveryquietlyfromthehandsofSquireFaggus，whohadnothalfdonewithadmiringit，andshewentuptomymotherwiththesweetestsmileIeversaw。
　　’Dearkindmother，Iamsoglad，’shesaidinawhisper，coaxingmotheroutofsightofallbutme；
　　’nowyouwillhaveit，won’tyou，dear？AndIshallbesohappy；forathousandthpartofyourkindnesstomenojewelsintheworldcanmatch。’
　　Icannotlaybeforeyouthegracewithwhichshedidit，alltheairofseekingfavour，ratherthanconferringit，andthehigh-bredfearofgivingoffence，whichisofallfearsthenoblest。Motherknewnotwhattosay。Ofcourseshewouldneverdreamoftakingsuchagiftasthat；andyetshesawhowsadlyLornawouldbedisappointed。Therefore，motherdid，fromhabit，whatshealmostalwaysdid，shecalledmetohelpher。Butknowingthatmyeyeswerefull——foranythingnoblemovesmeso，quiteasrashlyasthingspitiful——Ipretendednottohearmymother，buttoseeawildcatinthedairy。
　　ThereforeIcannottellwhatmothersaidinreplytoLorna；forwhenIcameback，quiteeagertoletmyloveknowhowIworshippedher，andhowdeeplyIwasashamedofmyself，formeanlywrongingherinmyheart，beholdTomFaggushadgottenagainthenecklacewhichhadsuchcharmsforhim，andwasdeliveringallaroundbutespeciallytoAnnie，whowaswonderingathislearning
　　adissertationonpreciousstones，andhissentimentsaboutthoseinhishand。Hesaidthattheworkwasveryancient，butundoubtedlyverygood；thecuttingofeverylinewastrue，andeveryanglewasinitsplace。
　　Andthishesaid，madeallthedifferenceinthelustreofthestone，andthereforeinitsvalue。Forifthefacetswereill-matched，andthepointsoflightsoeverlittleoutofperfectharmony，allthelustreofthejewelwouldbelooseandwavering，andthecentralfiredulled；insteadofanswering，asitshould，toallpossibilitiesofgaze，andoverpoweringanyeyeintentonitsdeepermysteries。WelaughedattheSquire’sdissertation；forhowshouldheknowallthesethings，beingnothingbetter，andindeedmuchworsethanamereNorthmoltonblacksmith？Hetookourlaughterwithmuchgoodnature；havingAnnietosqueezehishandandconveyhergriefatourignorance：buthesaidthatofonethinghewasquitecertain，andthereinIbelievedhim。Towit，thatatrinketofthiskindnevercouldhavebelongedtoanyignoblefamily，buttooneoftheveryhighestandmostwealthyinEngland。AndlookingatLorna，Ifeltthatshemusthavecomefromahighersourcethantheverybestofdiamonds。
　　TomFaggussaidthatthenecklacewasmade，hewouldanswerforit，inAmsterdam，twoorthreehundredyearsago，longbeforeLondonjewellershadbeguntomeddlewithdiamonds；andonthegoldclasphefoundsomeletters，doneinsomeinvertedway，themeaningofwhichwasbeyondhim；alsoabearingofsomekind，whichhebelievedwasamountain-cat。Andthereuponhedeclaredthatnowhehadearnedanotherglassofschnapps，andwouldMistressLornamixitforhim？
　　Iwasamazedathisimpudence；andAnnie，whothoughtthisherbusiness，didnotlookbestpleased；andI
　　hopedthatLornawouldtellhimatoncetogoanddoitforhimself。Butinsteadofthatsherosetodoitwithasofthumility，whichwentdirecttotheheartofTom；andheleapedupwithacurseathimself，andtookthehotwaterfromher，andwouldnotallowhertodoanythingexcepttoputthesugarin；andthenhebowedtohergrandly。IknewwhatLornawasthinkingof；shewasthinkingallthetimethathernecklacehadbeentakenbytheDooneswithviolenceuponsomegreatrobbery；andthatSquireFaggusknewit，thoughhewouldnotshowhisknowledge；andthatthiswasperhapsthereasonwhymotherhadrefuseditso。
　　Wesaidnomoreaboutthenecklaceforalongtimeafterwards；neitherdidmydarlingwearit，nowthatsheknewitsvalue，butdidnotknowitshistory。Shecametometheverynextday，tryingtolookcheerful，andbeggedmeifIlovedhernevermindhowlittletotakechargeofitagain，asIoncehaddonebefore，andnoteventoletherknowinwhatplaceIstoredit。I
　　toldherthatthislastrequestIcouldnotcomplywith；forhavingbeenroundhernecksooften，itwasnowasacredthing，morethanamillionpoundscouldbe。Thereforeitshoulddwellforthepresentintheneighbourhoodofmyheart；andsocouldnotbefarfromher。Atthisshesmiledherownsweetsmile，andtouchedmyforeheadwithherlips。andwishedthatshecouldonlylearnhowtodeservesuchloveasmine。
　　TomFaggustookhisgooddeparture，whichwasakindfarewelltome，ontheverydayIamspeakingof，thedayafterhisarrival。Tomwasathoroughlyuprightman，accordingtohisownstandard；andyoumightrelyuponhimalways，uptoacertainpointImean，tobethereorthereabouts。ButsometimesthingsweretoomanyforTom，especiallywithardentspirits，andthenhejudged，perhapstoomuch，withonlyhimselfforthejury。Atanyrate，Iwouldtrusthimfully，forcandourandforhonesty，inalmosteverycaseinwhichhehimselfcouldhavenointerest。Andsowegotonverywelltogether；andhethoughtmeafool；andI
　　triedmybestnottothinkanythingworseofhim。
　　ScarcelywasTomcleanoutofsight，andAnnie’stearsnotdryyetforshealwaysmadeapointofcryinguponhisdeparture，whenincameMasterJeremyStickles，splashedwithmudfromheadtofoot，andnotintheverybestofhumours，thoughhappytogetbackagain。
　　’Cursethosefellows!’hecried，withastampwhichsentthewaterhissingfromhisbootupontheembers；
　　’aprettyplightyoumaycallthis，forHisMajesty’sCommissionertoreturntohisheadquartersin!Annie，mydear，’forhewasalwaysveryaffablewithAnnie，’willyouhelpmeoffwithmyoveralls，andthenturnyourprettyhandtothegridiron？NotablessedmorselhaveItouchedformorethantwenty-fourhours。’