Chapter 141

128 MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE who could afford it at the cost of their entire patrimony. I have guarded, however, against any such profanation. With one exception you are the only human being, besides myself and my valet , who has been admitted within the mysteries of these imperial precincts since they have been bedizened as you see !” I bowed in acknowledgment — for the overpowering sense of splendor, and perfume, and music, together with the unexpected eccentricity of his address and manner, prevented me from expressing in words my appreciation of what I might have construed into a compliment. “Here,” he continued, arising and leaning on my arm as he sauntered around the apartment — “here are paintings from the Greeks to Cimabue, and from Cimabue to the present hour. Many are chosen, as you see, with little deference to the opinions of Virtu. They are all, however, fitting tapestry for a chamber such as this. Here, too, are some chef d’ oeuvres of the unknown great ; and here unfinished designs by men celebrated in their day, whose very names the perspicacity of the academies has left to silence and to me. What think you,” said he, turning abruptly as he spoke — “what think you of this Madonna della Pieta ?” “It is Guido's own,” I said, with all the enthusiasm of my nature, for I had been poring intently over its surpassing loveliness. “It is Guido's own ! — how could you have obtained it? — she is undoubtedly in painting what the Venus is in sculpture.” “Ha!” said he thoughtfully, “the Venus — the beautiful Venus? — the Venus of the Medici? — she of the diminutive head and the gilded hair? Part of the left arm” (here his voice dropped so as to be heard with difficulty) “and all the right are restorations ; and in the coquetry of that right arm lies, I think, the quintessence of all affectation. Give me the Canova ! The Apollo, too, is a copy — there can be no doubt of it — blind fool that I am who