What wine this is!' 'True Syrian--fire and honey; fourteen years old next vintage, my Raphael.

Out, Hypocorisma! See that he is not listening.

The impudent rascal! I was humbugged into giving two thousand gold pieces for him two years ago, he was so pretty--they said he was only just rising thirteen--and he has been the plague of my life ever since, and is beginning to want the barber already.

Now, what is the count dreaming of ?' 'His wages for killing Stilicho.' 'What, is it not enough to be Count of Africa ?' 'I suppose he sets off against that his services during the last three years.' 'Well, he saved Africa.' 'And thereby Egypt also.

And you too, as well as the emperor, may be considered as owing him somewhat.' 'My good friend, my debts are far too numerous for me to think of paying any of them.