M. and Mme Loisel replace the necklace by finding an identical chaplet of diamonds in a shop of the Palais-Royal. The replacement necklace is valued at forty thousand francs, but they manage to get it for thirty-six thousand.

To arrange the money, Loisel uses eighteen thousand francs left to him by his father. He borrows the remaining amount by making ruinous promises and taking money from usurers and the whole race of lenders. Finally, he deposits the money on the merchant's counter to purchase the new necklace, which Mme Loisel then returns to Mme Forestier.