Having nothing else to give them, he took from his pocket one of the gold coins he had brought from the site of the ancient city, and offered it.
They laughed, and made him understand that it was of no value to them; but they passed it from hand to hand, and he noticed that they began to look at him curiously.

From its blackened appearance they conjectured whence he had obtained it; one, too, pointed to his shoes, which were still blackened, and appeared to have been scorched.

The whole camp now pressed on him, their wonder and interest rising to a great height.

With some trouble Felix described his journey over the site of the ancient city, interrupted with constant exclamations, questions, and excited conversation.

He told them everything, except about the diamond.
Their manner towards him perceptibly altered.