He learned from
Mrs. Osmond that her husband had made a large collection before
their marriage and that, though he had annexed a number of fine pieces
within the last three years, he had achieved his greatest finds at a
time when he had not the advantage of her advice. Rosier interpreted
this information according to principles of his own. For "advice" read
"cash," he said to himself; and the fact that Gilbert Osmond had
landed his highest prizes during his impecunious season confirmed
his most cherished doctrine-the doctrine that a collector may freely
be poor if he be only patient. In general, when Rosier presented
himself on a Thursday evening, his first recognition was for the walls
of the saloon; there were three or four objects his eyes really
yearned for. But after his talk with Madame Merle he felt the
extreme seriousness of his position; and now, when he came in, he
looked about for the daughter of the house with such eagerness as
might be permitted a gentleman whose smile, as he crossed a threshold,
always took everything comfortable for granted.
CHAPTER 37
Pansy was not in the first of the rooms, a large apartment with a
concave ceiling and walls covered with old red damask; it was here
Mrs.
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