CHAPTER VI.
[Scene--The Roman Capitol Ten Years Later.] "Dearest Mary, this is the most celebrated statue in the world.

This is the renowned 'Capitoline Venus' you've heard so much about.

Here she is with her little blemishes 'restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists--and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will make their names illustrious while the world stands.

How strange it seems--this place! The day before I last stood here, ten happy years ago, I wasn't a rich man bless your soul, I hadn't a cent.

And yet I had a good deal to do with making Rome mistress of this grandest work of ancient art the world contains." "The worshiped, the illustrious Capitoline Venus--and what a sum she is valued at! Ten millions of francs!" "Yes--now she is." "And oh, Georgy, how divinely beautiful she is!" "Ah, yes but nothing to what she was before that blessed John Smith broke her leg and battered her nose.