One thousand years ago in the holy city of Sonmouth in mother India there stood a temple of gold. And in this temple sitting in sombre judgement on his cringing worshippers was he whom they called the Moon God. And deeply imbedded in his golden forehead there stood a great yellow diamond fabulous beyond all price and from it came the evil light of the moon waxing bright when the moon was full and waning pale when the moon grew dim. This was the holy treasure of ageless India. This they called The Moonstone.

Author: Wilkie Collins