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294 Pearls.
object
of his love was bedded on silk in a golden casket. It was shown to few
; many favorable circumstances and powerful recommendations were
necessary to obtain such a favor. One of my Moscow friends who had
succeeded in introducing himself, and had received a promise that he
should behold the Pearl of Pearls, informed me of the style and
manner of the ceremony. On the appointed day he went with his friends
to the convent, and found the old man awaiting his guests at a
splendidly covered breakfast, in his holiday clothes. Their reception
had something of solemnity about it. The old man afterwards went into
his cell and brought out the casket in its rich covering. He first
spread a piece of white satin on the table, and then unlocking the
casket, let the precious Pearl roll out before the enchanted eyes of
the spectators. No one dared to touch it, but all burst into
acclamations, and the old man's eyes gleamed like his Pearl. It was,
after a short time, carried back to its hiding-place. During his last
illness, the old humourist never let his Pearl out of his hand, and
after his death it was with difficulty taken from his stiffened
fingers. It found its way afterwards to the Imperial Treasury."
The Paris Pearls, 1878. It may be doubted whether any of the famous Pearls of antiquity were equal in beauty, perfection,
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