This time at any rate, he was determined to seize Fortune by the forelock and not to be taken advantage of, so he said: "Five talents will not do; bid higher." "Then let us say six." "If you say double that we are agreed." "I cannot put it beyond ten talents; why, for that sum you might build a small palace." "I stand out for twelve." "Well, be it so, but not a sesterce more." "I cannot bear to part with my splendid work of art," sighed Keraunus.
"But I will take your offer, and give you my Apelles." "It is not that picture I am dealing for," replied Gabinius.

"It is of trifling value, and you may continue to enjoy the possession of it.

It is another work of art in this room that I wish to have, and which has hitherto seemed to you scarcely worth notice.

I have discovered it, and one of my rich customers has asked me to find him just such a thing." "I do not know what it is." "Does everything in this room belong to you ?" "Whom else should it belong to ?" "Then you may dispose of it as you please ?" "Undoubtedly." "Very well, then--the twelve Attic talents which I offer you are to be paid for the picture that is under our feet." "The mosaic! that?
It belongs to the palace." "It belongs to your residence, and that, I heard you say yourself, has been inhabited for more than a century by your forefathers.

I know the law; it pronounces that everything which has remained in undisputed possession in one family, for a hundred years, becomes their property." "This mosaic belongs to the palace." "I assert the contrary.