Скорбь сатаны

Chapter 22

           Oh,don’tbothertogooutinthegroundsonatourofinspectionjustnow—leaveafewsurprisesforyourselfaswellasforyourcompanyto-morrow.Comeandhavedinner!"

           Heputhisarmthroughmineandweenteredthedining-room.Herethetablewaslaidoutwithcostlyfruit,flowersanddelicaciesofeverydescription—fourmen-servantsinscarletandgoldstoodsilentlyinwaiting,withAmiel,inblackasusual,behindhismaster’schair.Weenjoyedasumptuousrepastservedtoperfection,andwhenitwasfinished,westrolledoutinthegroundstosmokeandtalk.

           "Youseemtodoeverythingbymagic,Lucio;"—Isaid,lookingathimwonderingly—"Alltheselavishdecorations—theseservants—"

           "Money,mydearfellow—nothingbutmoney"—heinterruptedwithalaugh—"Money,thedevil’spass-key!youcanhavetheretinueofakingwithoutanyofaking’sresponsibilities,ifyouonlychoosetopayforit.Itismerelyaquestionofcost."

           "Andtaste!"Iremindedhim.

           "True—andtaste.Somerichmentherearewhohavelesstastethanacostermonger.Iknowonewhohastheegregiousvulgaritytocalltheattentionofhisgueststothevalueofhisgoodsandchattels.Hepointedoutformyadmirationoneday,anantiqueandhideouschinaplate,theonlyoneofthatkindintheworld,andtoldmeitwasworthathousandguineas.‘Breakit,’—Isaidcoolly—‘Youwillthenhavethesatisfactionofknowingyouhavedestroyedathousandguineas’worthofundesirableugliness.’

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