United States -- Social life and customs -- Fiction
Philip sank into an imitation Louis Quatorze chair beside a fountain in
imitation of one in the apartment of the Pompadour, and ordered what
he knew would be an execrable imitation of an American cocktail. While
waiting for the cocktail and Lady Woodcote's luncheon party, Philip,
from where he sat, could not help but overhear the conversation of Faust
and of the man with him. The latter was a German with Hebraic features
and a pointed beard. In loud tones he was congratulating the American
many-time millionaire on having that morning come into possession of
a rare and valuable masterpiece, a hitherto unknown and but recently
discovered portrait of Philip IV by Velasquez.
Philip sighed enviously.
“Fancy,” he thought, “owning a Velasquez! Fancy having it all to
yourself! It must be fun to be rich. It certainly is hell to be poor!”
The German, who was evidently a picture-dealer, was exclaiming in tones
of rapture, and nodding his head with an air of awe and solemnity.
“I am telling you the truth, Mr. Faust,” he said. “In no gallery in
Europe, no, not even in the Prado, is there such another Velasquez. This
is what you are doing, Mr. Faust, you are robbing Spain. You are robbing
her of something worth more to her than Cuba. And I tell you, so soon
as it is known that this Velasquez is going to your home in Pittsburgh,
every Spaniard will hate you and every art-collector will hate you, too.
For it is the most wonderful art treasure in Europe. And what a bargain,
Mr. Faust! What a bargain!”
To make sure that the reporter was within hearing, Mr. Faust glanced
in the direction of Philip and, seeing that he had heard, frowned
importantly. That the reporter might hear still more, he also raised his
voice.
“Nothing can be called a bargain, Baron,” he said, “that costs three
hundred thousand dollars!”
Again he could not resist glancing toward Philip, and so eagerly
that Philip deemed it would be only polite to look interested. So he
obligingly assumed a startled look, with which he endeavored to mingle
simulations of surprise, awe, and envy.
The next instant an expression of real surprise overspread his features.
Mr. Faust continued. “If you will come upstairs,” he said to the
picture-dealer, “I will give you your check; and then I should like to
drive to your apartments and take a farewell look at the picture.”
“I am sorry,” the Baron said, “but I have had it moved to my art gallery
to be packed.”
“Then let's go to the gallery,” urged the patron of art. “We've just
time before lunch.” He rose to his feet, and on the instant the soul of
the picture-dealer was filled with alarm.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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