Then, after a moment's pause, "Will you ring the bell ?" he said.
The Captain, marvelling much, rang the hand-bell which lay on a neighbouring table.

He marvelled still more when he heard Messer Blondel order the servant to place six bottles of his best wine in a basket and take them to the Captain's lodging.
Blandano stared.

He knew the wine to be choice and valuable; and he eyed the tiny phial respectfully.

"It is something rare, I expect ?" he said.
The Syndic nodded.
"And costly too, I doubt not ?" with an admiring glance.
"Costly ?" Messer Blondel repeated the word, and when he had done so turned on the other a look that led the Captain to think that he was going to be ill again.

Then, "It cost me--it will cost me"-- again a spasm contorted the Syndic's face--"I don't know what it will not have cost me before it is paid for, Messer Blandano!".