"It is a plan of the ancient city of Aurelia," Basterga replied, "which Cæsar, in the first book of his Commentaries places in Switzerland, but which, some say, should be rather in Savoy."
"Indeed, Aurelia?" the Syndic muttered, turning it about. It was a plan beautifully and elaborately finished, but, like most of the plans of that day, it was without names. "Aurelia?"
"Yes, Aurelia."
"But I seem to—is this water?"
"Yes, a lake," Basterga replied, stooping with a faint smile to the plan.
"And this a river?"
"Yes."
"Aurelia? But—I seem to know the line of this wall, and these bastions. Why, it is—Messer Basterga," in a tone of surprise, not unmingled with anger—"you play with me! it is Geneva!"
Basterga permitted his smile to become more apparent. "Oh no, Aurelia," he said lightly and almost jocosely. "Aurelia in Savoy, I assure you. Whatever it is, however, we have no need to take it to heart, Messer Blondel. Believe me, it comes from, and is not on its way to, the Grand Duke's library at Turin."
The Syndic showed his displeasure by putting the map from him.