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Bar. (drawing Hovel. aside again.) She does love me, Hovelberg; tempt her not with an extravagant price for the picture.

Hov. (aside.) I'll take a better way of managing it. (Returning to the Countess.) My friend desires me to say, Madam, that, if there is any thing here you particularly value, he'll advance you money upon it, which you may repay at your leisure, and you shall preserve it.

Countess. (to Baron.) How generous you are, my dear Sir! Yes; there is one thing I would keep.

Bar. (eagerly.) One ting—dere be one ting: tish picture, perhaps.

Countess. This ruby necklace.

Bar. You sell tish picture, den?

Countess. To be sure, if you'll purchase it.

Hov. The diamonds are valuable, indeed; but you will not sell the painting?

Countess. That will depend on the price you offer for it.

Hov. Being a portrait, it is of no value at all, but to those who have a regard for the original.

Jean. And what part of the world do they live in, Mr. Hovelberg? Can you find them out any where?

Countess. Nay, peace, Jeanetta.—As a portrait, indeed, it is of no value to any body, but, as a characteristic old head, it should fetch a good price. (Shewing it to Baron.) Observe, my dear Sir, that air of conceit and absurdity