"That is why," she said, smiling and placing a sweetmeat between her lips.
I had the privilege of lighting a match for her.[253]
XXVI
When the tip of her cigarette glowed rosy in the pearl-tinted gloom, the shadowy circle at her feet drew a little nearer.
"This is the story of Valdez," she said. "Listen attentively, you who hunger!"
On the first day it rained torrents; the light was very dull in the galleries; fashion kept away. Only a few monomaniacs braved the weather, left dripping mackintoshes and umbrellas in the coat room, and spent the dull March morning in mousing about among the priceless treasures on view to those who had cards of admission. The sale[254] was to take place three days later. Heikem was the auctioneer.
The collection to be disposed of was the celebrated library of Professor Octavo de Folio—a small one; but it was composed almost exclusively of rarities. A million and a half had been refused by the heirs, who preferred to take chances at auction.