The legendary diamond was bigger than a lover's heart, more dazzling than the fires of hell. Through the centuries men had sold their souls for it, women had given their bodies for it. For the man who stole it it meant freedom -- a terrible, final freedom. For the girl in the shadow of the guillotine it was a dream of love and marriage -- and the price she must pay for living. For the belle of New Orleans it was an insult to Southern womanhood, a threat to virtue no gentleman could fail to avenge. For the spy it was a gift of love -- to the woman he meant to kill. And for all who possessed it it was fate, irresistable and evil.