"Ah, Artankopf, you are there?" said the prince, when his toilet had been completed. "I have an order for you."
The jeweller made a salam, and muttered some unintelligible words of which Potemkin took no notice.
"I saw a magnificent service of gold yesterday in your showcase."
"It is an order, your highness," said Artankopf, quickly.
"Then I cannot buy it?"
"Impossible, your highness."
"Then I order one exactly like it, above all in weight. The statuettes which ornament that service are exquisitely moulded. How much gold is there in it?"
"Sixty thousand rubles, your highness."
Potemkin's eyes sparkled. "A considerable sum," said he, stroking his mane. "I order two services of the same value. Do you hear? They must be ready on this day week."
"And the payment?" Artankopf ventured to inquire.