She looked, holding it up in both her fine hands, turning it to
the light. "It may be cheap for what it is, but it will be dear,
I'm afraid, for me."
"Well," said the man, "I can part with it for less than its
value. I got it, you see, for less."
"For how much then?"
Again he waited, always with his serene stare. "Do you like it
then?"
Charlotte turned to her friend. "Do YOU like it?" He came no
nearer; he looked at their companion. "cos'e?"
"Well, signori miei, if you must know, it's just a perfect
crystal."
"Of course we must know, per Dio!" said the Prince. But he turned
away again--he went back to his glass door.
Charlotte set down the bowl; she was evidently taken. "Do you
mean it's cut out of a single crystal?"
"If it isn't I think I can promise you that you'll never find any
joint or any piecing."