Giovanni monologue — Diminutive dramas

I am a dying man, and this is our last bargain. It has consequently no effect on future dealings. The time at your disposal is short; dying men don’t bluff, you must have the vase; all this makes your price jump up. Listen to me a moment. (_He takes a cutting from a newspaper out of his pocket._) This is a cutting from an English illustrated newspaper. A friend sent it me. It is the reproduction of a photograph, and under it is written: “The terra-cotta bust of Pallas, a work of the central period of Greek perfection, the age of Pericles, after having been rejected by the British Museum, has been purchased for the Louvre for the sum of £6000. While congratulating the French nation on their acquisition, we cannot help asking ourselves what the British Museum authorities,” etc. I skip. But wait--Here is a further comment which may interest you. “Some of our criticasters have thrown doubts on the authenticity of the vase.” Now look at the photograph. Perhaps you recognise the bust.