you. But really you must make a little sacrifice to win this
foolish girl. With all the depth and daring of her intellect to
help you, you might be a match for Romans, Byzantines, and Goths at
once. And as for beauty--why, there is one dimple inside that
wrist, just at the setting on of the sweet little hand, worth all
the other flesh and blood in Alexandria.'

'By Jove! you admire her so much, I suspect you must be in love with
her yourself. Why don't you marry her? I'll make you my prime
minister, and then we shall have the use of her wits without the
trouble of her fancies. By the twelve Gods! If you marry her and
help me, I'll make you what you like!'

Raphael rose and bowed to the earth.

'Your serene high-mightiness overwhelms me. But I assure you, that
never having as yet cared for any one's interest but my own, I could
not be expected, at my time of life, to devote myself to that of
another, even though it were to yours.'

'Candid!'

'Exactly so; and moreover, whosoever I may marry, will be
practically, as well as theoretically, my private and peculiar
property .... You comprehend.'

'Candid again.'

'Exactly so; and waiving the third argument, that she probably might
not choose to marry me, I beg to remark that it would not be proper