I want to speak with him about this curious painting." Keraunus signed to his daughters, who immediately left the room.

Before the door was closed upon them the dealer called after them: "It is already growing dark, might I ask you to send me as bright a light as possible by one of your slaves." "What about the picture ?" asked Keraunus.
"Till the light is brought let us talk of something else," said Gabinius.
"Then take a seat on the couch," said Keraunus.

"You will be doing me a pleasure and perhaps yourself as well." As soon as the two men were seated on the divan, Gabinius began: "Those little things which we have collected with particular liking, we do not readily part with--that I know by long experience.

Many a man who has come into some property after he has sold all his little antiquities has offered me ten times the price I have paid him to get them back again, generally in vain, unfortunately.

Now, what is true of others is true of you, and if you had not been in immediate need of money you would hardly have offered me these things." "I must entreat you," began the steward, but the dealer interrupted him, saying: "Even the richest are sometimes in want of ready money; no one knows that better than I, for I--I must confess--have large means at my command.