Only on gems and
precious metals would he consent to lend a sum of any importance.
Whilst this debate was in progress, a litter, gaudy and luxurious,
borne by eight slaves clad in yellow, with others like them before
and behind, came to a stop close by, and from it alighted a lady
whose gorgeous costume matched the brilliance of her vehicle and
retinue. She was young and beautiful, with dark, oriental features,
and a bearing which aimed at supremity of arrogance. Having stepped
down, she stood at the edge of the portico, languidly gazing this
way and that, with the plain intention of exhibiting herself to the
loiterers whom her appearance drew together; at every slightest
movement, the clink of metal sounded from her neck, her arms, her
ankles; stones glistened on her brow and on her hands; about her she
shed a perfume like that wafted from the Arabian shore.
The Greek merchant, as soon as he was aware of her arrival, ran
forward and stood obsequiously before her, until she deigned to
notice him.
'I would speak with you. See that we are private.'
'Noble lady,' he replied, 'the lord Basilius, heir of the Senator
Maximus, is within.
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