CHAPTER VII.
THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP.
As Richard made his way homeward, he seemed to himself to be riding ona winged steed. He was entirely satisfied with the issue of that day'sadventure. Reviewing in imagination the temptation to which he hadbeen exposed, he exulted in the victory he had won over himself.Consequently, when he reA"ntered his bachelor quarters, he could notbut feel an unwelcome sensation as his eye fell on certain objectsthat he would gladly have banished from sight. They were sundrysouvenirs of certain love affairs, and no longer possessed the valuein his eyes that they had once had.
Summoning Paul, he bade him make a fire.
"But the wood is so confoundedly wet that it won't burn," returned theold hussar.
At this Richard rummaged in the drawer of his writing-desk andproduced a bundle of letters, whose delicate tint and perfume betrayedtheir probable nature. "There," said he, "take these; they will startthe fire."
This order gave old Paul much pleasure, and soon the billets-doux wereblazing merrily on the hearth.
"Paul," began Richard after a pause, "to-morrow we break up and goaway for the annual manA"uvres."
The old soldier showed his satisfaction at this announcement.
"But we can't take all this trumpery with us," added the youngofficer. "You'll have to sell the furniture, but the souvenirs,pictures, and embroideries may be thrown into the fire."
Paul bowed dutifully.
Opposite the young man's bed hung a large oil painting in a great giltframe; it was the portrait of a famous beauty who had caused herselfto be painted as DanaA", and had presented the picture to Richard. Thelatter now bade his servant get rid of it with the rest of therubbish. After thoroughly ransacking his drawers for old love-letters,faded flowers, bits of ribbon, and other miscellaneous articles, heleft the entire collection for old Paul to destroy, while he himselfwent out with a lightened conscience to his supper.
The next morning, when Paul brought his master's boots, Richard madesome remark on the thoroughness with which his faithful servant hadexecuted his orders. "But surely," he added, "you can't have burnt upthe frame of the large painting. What has become of it?"
"Do you suppose I burnt up the picture, either?" asked Paul in histurn. "I am not so crazy as to throw a fine work of art like that intothe fire."
"What then have you done with it?" demanded the other, kicking off hisbedclothes. "You haven't pawned it, I hope?"
Paul shrugged his shoulders. "Captain Baradlay said I was to get ridof it," he replied.
"Yes, and that meant that it was to be burnt up," declared Richard.
"Well," returned the servant, "I understood you to mean that it was tobe carried to old Solomon and sold for what it would bring."
"And is that what you did with it?"
"There's where it is now."
Richard was very near being downright angry with his old servant. "Goat once and bring the painting back!" he commanded, as sternly as hecould.
But old Paul was not one to be easily disconcerted. Laying hismaster's stockings within their owner's reach, he replied, withunruffled composure: "Solomon will not give it back to me."
"Not if I demand it?"
"He sends his compliments to Captain Baradlay, and begs him to havethe goodness to go and speak with him in person about the picture,"returned the old hussar, handing Richard his trousers.
The young officer fairly lost his temper. "Paul, you are a donkey!" heexclaimed.
Quickly, and with no little vexation, the hussar officer completed histoilet and hastened to old Solomon's shop in Porcelain Street, beforethe Jew should hang the picture where it could be seen and, perhaps,recognised.
Solomon's establishment was a little basement shop, lying lower thanthe sidewalk and lighted only from the door, which was consequentlyalways kept open. On both sides of the entrance old furniture wasplaced on exhibition, while within was gathered such a heterogeneouscollection of all sorts of second-hand wares as fairly bafflesdescription. But the most ancient and curious object in the whole shopwas its owner, who sat in a big leather armchair, wrapped in a longcaftan, fur shoes on his feet and a fur cap tilted over his eyes.There he was wont to sit all day long, rising only to wait on acustomer. The leather covering of his chair-cushion was worn throughwith long service and had been replaced by a sheet of blotting-paper.
Solomon was in the habit of opening his shop early and taking his seatin the doorway; for no one could tell when good luck might bring him acustomer. It was hardly eight o'clock when Richard strode down thenarrow street and paused at the old Jew's door.
"Is this Solomon's shop?" he asked.
The old man in the caftan drew his feet from under his chair, rosefrom his seat, and, pushing back his fur cap so that his caller mighthave a good view of his smiling face, made answer:
"Your humble servant, sir. This is the place, and I shall be mosthappy to serve Captain Baradlay."
"Oh, do you know me?" asked the young officer, in surprise.
"Why should I not know Captain Baradlay?" returned the old man, withan ingratiating smile. "I know him very well, and he is a man I amproud to know."
Richard could not imagine how this acquaintance had risen. It washardly probable that he had ever met Solomon at a military review or acourt ball, and he was sure he had never borrowed any money of the oldJew.
"Then you doubtless know also," said he, "that I have come to see youconcerning a picture that my servant left here yesterday by mistake. Idid not intend to offer it for sale."
"Yes, yes," rejoined the Jew, "I know that very well, and for thatreason I made bold to request the favour of a visit from you to mypoor establishment, in order that we might talk about the picture."
"There is nothing more to be said about it," interposed Richard, withvexation. "I will not sell it; I am going to destroy it."
"But, my dear sir," protested the other, smiling blandly, "why loseour temper over the matter? That is bad for the health. I certainlyhave no intention of retaining the picture by force. I merely desiredthe honour of a call from you, and you are perfectly free to do as youchoose in the matter. We like to cultivate new acquaintances. Whoknows but they may be useful some day? Do me the honour, Captain, toenter my house. The painting is up-stairs. Pray walk up."
Richard complied and ascended to the next floor, while the Jew lockedhis shop-door before following him. Reaching the head of the stairs,the young man was astonished at what met his eyes. He almost thoughthimself in a royal museum. Three communicating apartments were filledwith the costliest articles of luxury,--carved furniture, Japanese andEtruscan vases, rare old china, jewelry of the finest workmanship,ancient armour and weapons, and many masterpieces of painting andsculpture.
"Well, how do you like the looks of things up here?" asked Solomon,when he had rejoined his guest. "It is worth while coming up to lookaround a little, isn't it?"
Richard could not sate himself with examining all that met his view.Meanwhile the Jew continued his confidential chat.
"The gentlemen and ladies," said he, "even those in the very highestcircles, honour me with their patronage and confidence, knowing that Ican be as mum as an oyster. I know who sent in each one of thesearticles,--one from Count So-and-so, another from Prince Blank, athird from Baron X----, and so on; but no secret of that kind everpasses my lips. Solomon knows the history of all these things, and whythey were sold, but he never breathes a word to any mortal soul."
"Very commendable on his part, I am sure," assented Richard; "butwhere is my picture?"
"Why in such a hurry?" asked the other. "Am I likely to run off withit? Have the kindness to look around a bit, and meantime perhaps wecan drive a little bargain."
"No, not so far as the painting is concerned," declared the hussarofficer. "It is a portrait; and, even though I may be at odds with theoriginal, yet I cannot insult her by selling her likeness."
The old shopkeeper drew his guest with him into the adjoining room,whose walls were covered with
portraits of all sorts and sizes, inoil, water-colours, and pastel, mostly representing young men andwomen, while a pile of unframed pictures stood in one corner.
"How did you ever get hold of so many portraits?" asked the astonishedvisitor.
"Oh, that is simple enough," replied the Jew; "you see, young peoplehave a way of falling in love and then falling out again. They hang aportrait over their bed, and presently their taste changes and anothertakes its place. Then when a young gentleman wishes to marry, he findsit inadvisable, to keep a lot of strange portraits in his house."
"And so he sells them?" asked Richard.
Solomon made a significant gesture with his open hands. "Judge foryourself," said he.
"Well," rejoined the other, "I am not much surprised at people'sselling some of these faces; but how in the world do you findpurchasers for them. Who would ever want one of this collection?"
Solomon smiled knowingly, and tilted forward and backward on his toesand heels.
"I know the original of your picture," said he. "She visits meoccasionally. What if she should see her likeness among the others?That kind of costume-portrait always fetches a magnificent price."
"Such an injury, however," declared the cavalry officer, "I will notdo her. Though we may not be on the best of terms, I will not give hercause to despise me."
"A most praiseworthy determination!" exclaimed the dealer, warmly."But may I ask whether you are thinking of marrying, and so wish toput another portrait in the old one's place? In that case, at whatprice would you part with this Miss DanaA"?"
Richard made an impatient movement. "I have already told you that Iwill not sell the picture," said he. "I demand it back."
"Well, well, no offence," returned the other, soothingly. "I didn'tpresume to offer you any ten or twenty florins for it; that would bean insult to a Richard Baradlay. But, how about an exchange for someother beautiful picture,--some mythological study? I have a largecollection to choose from."
Richard laughed in spite of himself. "No, friend Solomon," said he,"we can't make a trade to-day. I will not give the DanaA" in exchangefor any picture, however beautiful or mythological. I won't exchangeit for all the world."
"Well, well, why so positive? Supposing we should find something,after all. Let's look around a bit; it won't cost us anything."
So saying, the old dealer drew his guest toward the pile of unframedportraits leaning against the wall in a corner, and began to turn themover, one by one. Suddenly the young man at his side uttered apassionate interjection.
"Aha!" cried the Jew, in triumph; "have we found something at lastworth hunting for?" And he drew out the picture that had caused theother's hasty exclamation, dusted it with his sleeve, and held it upto the light, where Richard could see it.
"That is my portrait!" cried the young man.
"Yes, to be sure, it is," replied the other. "It has been here sixmonths or so. Miss DanaA", as you see, was less scrupulous than you,and she sold it to me half a year ago. Five silver florins was theprice I paid for it."
"And what will you take for the picture now?"
"This picture? Your own picture? As I have already said, I'll give itin exchange."
"Done!" cried Richard.
"Ah, Captain, you are too hasty in closing a bargain," said the oldman. "Be more cautious. Any one but old Solomon would be likely totake advantage of you. You might have made me pay you something toboot."
"Send home my picture, and I shall be glad enough to wash my hands ofthe whole affair," returned Richard. "After that you may squeeze MissDanaA" for a million, as far as I am concerned."
"Oh, Captain," protested the Jew, in an injured tone, "Solomon neverdoes that sort of thing; he always does what is right and just. Everyman knows his worth, and Solomon is content with whatever price isnamed. He is no extortioner. Look here, just to show you how fair Iam, I want to call your attention to the frame. We agreed to exchangethe pictures, but how about the frame?"
"What frame?"
"Why, the frame to the DanaA". She sent me your portrait without anyframe. Probably she used it for another picture. So you see the frameto your DanaA" isn't included in the bargain."
The old man's anxiety to be fair began to vex Richard. "Oh, don'tworry about the frame!" he cried, impatiently. "Surely you don't wantme to insist on your paying five florins for it?"
"Well, well, why waste so much noble wrath?" rejoined the old dealer."A paltry five florins, indeed! I made you no such pitiful offer, butI have all sorts of curiosities here that might please CaptainBaradlay. Suppose we arrange another little trade. Let us look aboutfor a few moments; it won't cost us anything. I have some splendidweapons here,--all sorts of swords and daggers."
"Thank you, but I am already supplied. I have a whole arsenal of themat home."
"But what if we should find something here that you lack?" persistedthe Jew. "It won't cost you a penny to look around. Perhaps we canmake another trade, after all. Well, well, I won't mention the frame;I'll merely reckon it in and charge you so much the less for anythinghere that may take your fancy. You shall pay me something in cash, sothat a florin, at least, may pass between us. You see, we have asuperstition that, unless the first sale of the day leaves us with alittle money in our hand, even though it be but the merest trifle, thewhole day will be unlucky. For that reason the first customer in themorning is likely to make a good bargain on his purchase; for we won'tlet him go without selling him something, even if we are forced tosell below cost, just so that we see the colour of his money."
Richard yielded perforce to the old man's importunity and followed himinto a third room, which was filled with a large assortment of armourand weapons of all nations.
"A regular arsenal, isn't it?" exclaimed Solomon, rubbing his handscomplacently.
The young officer felt in his element as, with the eye of aconnoisseur, he surveyed the splendid collection. Suddenly hisattention was arrested by a brown blade with a simple hilt and withouta scabbard. He took it up and examined it more closely.
"Aha!" cried the dealer, much pleased, "you've hit it the first time.I was sure it wouldn't escape the eye of an expert. That is a genuineCrivelli blade, and I have been offered ten ducats for it; but I won'tpart with it for less than fifteen. It is positively genuine, noimitation."
Richard held the sword up to the light. "That is not a Crivelli," hedeclared.
The dealer was deeply injured. "Sir," he protested, "Solomon neverdeceives. When I say it is a genuine Crivelli, you may trust my wordfor it." Therewith he bent the blade in his trembling hands andcaused it to encircle his visitor's waist like a belt. "See there!" hecried triumphantly; "the point kisses the hilt."
"Good!" exclaimed the other, taking the sword from him again; "and nowI'll show you a little trick, if you have an old musket that is of nouse."
"Take any you choose," returned Solomon, pointing to a pyramid ofrusty firearms.
Richard selected one of the heaviest and leaned it obliquely againstthe pile, barrel upward. "Now stand aside a little, please," said he.
The old Jew drew back and watched the young man curiously. The lattergave the sword a quick swing through the air and brought it downsharply on the musket-barrel, which fell in two pieces to the floor,cleanly severed. Old Solomon was lost in amazement. First he examinedthe sword-blade, next the divided musket-barrel, and then he felt ofRichard's arm.
"Heavens and earth, that was a stroke!" he exclaimed. "When I cut anorange in two I have to try three times before I succeed. You are aman I am proud to know, Captain Baradlay,--a man of giant strength!Such a thick musket-barrel, and cut in two with one stroke as if itwere of paper!"
"This sword is not a Crivelli," repeated Richard, as he returned theweapon; "it is a genuine Al-Bohacen Damascus blade, and worth,between you and me, one hundred ducats."
"Heaven forbid!" exclaimed the Jew, with a deprecatory gesture of bothhands. "I have named the price as fifteen ducats, no more and no less.That is my figure; but if Captain Baradlay wil
l give the DanaA" andframe, with one ducat into the bargain, he may have the sword. I won'tsleep another night under the same roof with such a weapon."
Richard smiled. "But the DanaA" I have already exchanged for my ownportrait," said he.
"Oh, your portrait doesn't go out of my house now for any money,"declared the Jew. "This is the first time in my life that a gentlemanhas said to me: 'Solomon, what you offer me for fifteen ducats isworth not fifteen, but a hundred; it is not a Crivelli, but anAl-Bohacen.' Such another portrait is not to be found in all theworld. It is a rarity, it is unique. No, no, that portrait doesn'tleave my house; it stays here. Take the sword and pay me a ducat toboot; then we shall be quits."
The young man hesitated. Solomon guessed his thoughts. "Have no fear,sir," he hastened to add reassuringly; "no one shall see your portraitin my house. I will hang it up in my bedroom, of which, since mywife's decease, I am the sole occupant, and which no stranger willever enter. What do you say? Do you agree to the terms?"
Richard gave his hand to the dealer in sign of assent.
"Very well, then. Now pay me a ducat into the bargain." The old Jewtouched the coin with his lips and then dropped it into his longpurse. "Let me wrap up the sword for you," he added. "My servant shalldeliver it at your door. I am truly delighted to have had the honour;and perhaps it won't be the last time, either. If Captain Baradlay isabout to marry, I am always at his service. I deal in all the rare andbeautiful things that ever charmed a pair of pretty eyes."
"Thank you," returned Richard; "but she whom I am to marry does notexpect to live in a palace."
"So she is a poor girl, is she?" asked the old man. "Tell me, have Iguessed aright?"
But the young officer would not tarry longer; he moved toward the doorand prepared to take his leave.
"Very well, then," said the dealer; "I won't trouble the captain withany more questions. But old Solomon knows a good many things of whichother folks never dream. Captain Baradlay, you are a man of gold--no,I mean of steel, Damascene steel. You know, of course, how that ismade: gold and steel are wrought into one. Only remain as you arenow,--of gold and steel. I will not pry into your affairs, but let meask you to remember the old shopkeeper at Number 3 Porcelain Street.I tell you, an honest man is not met with every day. Remember mywords. Some day you will fall in with old Solomon again, and then youwill understand what I mean."