The original is in the Villa belonging to Phinius on the Lake of Larius, and which he calls Cothurnus.

I have no use whatever for this piece." "And this carved cup ?" asked Keraunus.

"It came from among the possessions of Plutarch, as I can prove, and it is said to have been the gift of the Emperor Trajan." "It is the prettiest thing in your collection," replied Gabinius; "but it is amply paid for with four hundred drachmae." "And this cylinder from Cyprus, with the elegant incised work ?" The steward was about to take up the polished crystal, but his hand was trembling with agitation and pushed instead of lifting it from the table.

It rolled away on the floor and across the smooth mosaic picture as far as the couches.

Keraunus was about to stoop to pick it up, but his daughters both held him back, and Selene cried out: "Father, you must not; the physician strictly forbade it." While the steward pushed the girls away grumbling, the dealer had gone down on his knees to pick up the cylinder, but it seemed to cost the slightly-built man much less effort to stoop than to get up again, for some minutes had elapsed before he once more stood on his feet, in front of Keraunus.