"But I hope you are all too large-minded to grudge a poor artist the biggest find that has ever come his way." There was a pause, but the burning blue eyes were no longer fixed upon the sparkling ripples through which they had travelled.

They were turned upon Knight's face, searching, piercing, intent.

Before he spoke again, Knight's doubt as to the existence of a brain behind the massive brow was fully set at rest.
"There is another thing I have to say," said Rufus.
Knight's smile broadened encouragingly.

"By all means let us hear it!" he said.
Rufus proceeded.

"You speak of Columbine as if she were just a bit of amber or such-like as you'd found on the shore and picked up and put in your pocket.