Well, he knew nothing, except this, that he was certain that if there was any truth in the matter the owner of the name, as became a noble and a generous nature, would wish to obtain his prize fairly and openly.

The bidding was as free to the humblest there--provided, of course, that he could pay, and he might remark that not an hour's credit would be given except to those who were known to him--as to Caesar himself.

Now, as the light was failing, he would order the torches to be lit and commence the sale.
The beauteous Pearl-Maiden, he might add, was Lot No.

7.
So the torches were lit, and presently the first victim was led out and placed upon a stand of marble in the centre of the flaring ring.

She was a dark-haired child of about sixteen years of age, who stared round her with a frightened gaze.
The bidding began at five sestertia and ran up to fifteen, or about L120 of our money, at which price she was knocked down to a Greek, who led her back into the receiving house, paid the gold to a clerk who was in attendance, and took her away, sobbing as she went.