These jewellers had no shops, though sometimes they set a single necklace or bracelet in a bottom window, but put up notices proclaiming their trade.

Thus there was over Aldobrand's door a board stuck out to say that he bought and sold jewels, and would lend money on diamonds or other valuables.
A sturdy serving-man opened the door, and when he heard our business was to sell a jewel, left us in a stone-floored hall or lobby, while he went upstairs to ask whether his master would see us.

A few minutes later the stairs creaked, and Aldobrand himself came down.

He was a little wizened man with yellow skin and deep wrinkles, not less than seventy years old; and I saw he wore shoes of polished leather, silver-buckled, and tilted-heeled to add to his stature.

He began speaking to us from the landing, not coming down into the hall, but leaning over the handrail: 'Well, my sons, what would you with me?
I hear you have a jewel to sell, but you must know I do not purchase sailors' flotsam.