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"Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more; but, calling for
my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty £1000 notes. When I was alone once
more, however, with the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I
could not but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility which it
entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it was a national
possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any misfortune should occur to
it. I already regretted having ever consented to take charge of it. However, it
was too late to alter the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe, and
turned once more to my work.
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Voyant mon client pressé de partir, je crus
inutile de répondre, et appelant mon caissier je
lui donnai l’ordre de verser cinquante billets de
mille livres. Lorsque je me retrouvai seul, ensuite,
avec le précieux écrin sur la table devant
moi, je ne pus m’empêcher de trembler un peu
en présence de l’immense responsabilité que
j’avais assumée. Il était bien certain que, ce bijou
étant un bien national, un horrible scandale éclaterait
si malheur lui arrivait. Je regrettais déjà
d’avoir consenti à m’en charger. Néanmoins il
était trop tard pour revenir là-dessus ; je l’enfermai
dans mon coffre-fort particulier, et je me
remis au travail.
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