teemed of his class and
a rich man. Having matured his knowledge by industry, and experience, he
knew better than any man how to distinguish what was good from what was
indifferent or bad, what was genuine from what was spurious. No one had
a keener eye; but he was abrupt in his dealings with those from whom he
had nothing to gain. In circumstances where there was profit in view, he
could, to be sure, be polite even to subservience and show inexhaustible
patience. He commanded himself so far as to listen with an air of
conviction to the steward as he told him in a condescending tone that
he was tired of his little possessions, that he could just as well
keep them as part with them; he merely wanted to show them to him as
a connoisseur and would only part with them if a good round sum were
offered for what was in fact idle capital. One piece after another
passed through the dealer's slender fingers, or was placed before him
that he might contemplate it; but the man spoke not, and only shook
his head as he examined every fresh object. And when Keraunus told him
whence this or that specimen of his treasures had been obtained, he only
murmured--"Indeed" or "Really."

"Do you think so?" After the last piece of property had passed through
his hands, the steward asked:

"Well, what do you think of them?"

The beginning of the sentence was spoken confidently, the end almost
in fear, for the dealer only smiled and shook his head again before he
said:

"There are some genuine little things among them, but nothing worth
speaking of. I advise you to keep them, because you have an affection
for them, while I could get very little by them."

Keraunus avoided looking towards Selene, whose large eyes, full of
dread, had been fixed on the dealer's lips; but Arsinoe, who had
followed his movements with no less attention, was less easily
discouraged, and pointing to her father's Apelles, she said: "And that
picture, is that worth nothing?"

"It grieves me that I cannot tell so fair a damsel that it is
inestimably valuable," said the dealer, stroking his gray whiskers.
"But we have here only a very feeble copy. The original is in the
Villa belonging to Phinius on the Lake of Larius, and which he calls
Cothurnus. I have no use whatever for this piece."

"And this carved cup?" asked Keraunus. "It came from among the
possessions of Plutarch, as I can prove, and it is said to have been the
gift of the Emperor Trajan."

"It is the pr