A sudden flood of light burst through the windows, lit up the gleaming gold backgrounds of the triptychs, and played over the sorrowfully patient brow of the Siennese Madonna and the glittering steel scales on the Princess di Ferentino's little grey hat.
'When is the goblet coming on ?' asked the princess impatiently.
Her friends consulted the catalogue.

There was no hope of the goblet for that day.

The unusual amount of competition made the sale go slowly.
There was still a long list of smaller articles--cameos, medallions, coins.

Several antiquaries and Prince Stroganow disputed each piece hotly.

The rest felt considerably disappointed.