Just at present it would be particularly easy for me to free you from all embarrassment." "There stands my Apelles," exclaimed the steward.

"It is yours if you make a bid that suits me." "The light--here comes the light!" exclaimed Gabinius, taking from the slave's hand the three-branched lamp which Selene had hastily supplied with a fresh wick, and he placed it, while he murmured to Keraunus, "By your leave," down on the centre of the mosaic.

The steward looked at the man on his left hand, with puzzled inquiry, but Gabinius heeded him not but went down on his knees again, felt the mosaic over with his hand, and devoured the picture of the marriage of Peleus with his eyes.
"Have you lost anything ?" asked Keraunus.
"No-nothing whatever.

There in the corner--now I am satisfied.

Shall I place the lamp there, on the table?
So--and now to return to business." "I beg to do so, but I may as well begin by telling you that in my case it is a question not of drachmae but of Attic talents."-- [ The Attic talent was worth about L200, or $1000 dollars in the 1880 exchange rate.] "That is a matter of course, and I will offer you five; that is to say a sum for which you could buy a handsome roomy house." Once more the blood mounted to the steward's head; for a few minutes he could not utter a word, for his heart thumped violently; but presently be so far controlled himself as to be able to answer.