THE CAPITOLINE VENUS. 



227 



CHAPTER VI. 



\Scene — The Roman Capitol Ten Years Later.] 



" Dearest Mary, this is the most celebrated statue in the world. This is the 

 renowned ' Capitoline Venus ' you've heard so much about. Here she is with her 

 little blemishes ' restored ' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists — 

 and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will 

 make their names illustrious while the world stands. How strange it seems — this 



place ! The day before I last itood here, ten happy years ago, I wasn't a rich man 

 —bless your soul, I hadn't a cent. And yet I had a good deal to do with making 

 Rome mistress of this grandest work of ancient art the world contains." 



"The worshipped, the illustrious Capitoline Venus — and what a sum she is 

 valued at ! Ten millions of francs !" 



" Yes — now she is." 



