“Come。”hesaidatlength，turningtowardsatableofrichlyenamelledandmassivesilver，uponwhichwereafewgobletsfantasticallystained，togetherwithtwolargeEtruscanvases，fashionedinthesameextraordinarymodelasthatintheforegroundoftheportrait，andfilledwithwhatIsupposedtobeJohannisberger。“Come。”hesaid，abruptly，“letusdrink！Itisearly-butletusdrink。Itis_indeed_early。”hecontinued，musingly，asacherubwithaheavygoldenhammermadetheapartmentringwiththefirsthouraftersunrise：“Itis_indeed_early-butwhatmattersit？letusdrink！Letuspouroutanofferingtoyonsolemnsunwhichthesegaudylampsandcensersaresoeagertosubdue！”And，havingmademepledgehiminabumper，heswallowedinrapidsuccessionseveralgobletsofthewine。
“Todream。”hecontinued，resumingthetoneofhisdesultoryconversation，ashehelduptotherichlightofacenseroneofthemagnificentvases-“todreamhasbeenthebusinessofmylife。I
havethereforeframedformyself，asyousee，abowerofdreams。IntheheartofVenicecouldIhaveerectedabetter？Youbeholdaroundyou，itistrue，amedleyofarchitecturalembellishments。ThechastityofIoniaisoffendedbyantediluviandevices，andthesphynxesofEgyptareoutstretcheduponcarpetsofgold。Yettheeffectisincongruoustothetimidalone。Proprietiesofplace，andespeciallyoftime，arethebugbearswhichterrifymankindfromthecontemplationofthemagnificent。OnceIwasmyselfadecorist；butthatsublimationoffollyhaspalleduponmysoul。Allthisisnowthefitterformypurpose。Likethesearabesquecensers，myspiritiswrithinginfire，andthedeliriumofthissceneisfashioningmeforthewildervisionsofthatlandofrealdreamswhitherIamnowrapidlydeparting。”Heherepausedabruptly，benthisheadtohisbosom，andseemedtolistentoasoundwhichIcouldnothear。Atlength，erectinghisframe，helookedupwards，andejaculatedthelinesoftheBishopofChichester：
_“Stayformethere！Iwillnotfail_
_Tomeettheeinthathollowvale。”_