“This time,” said he, “you are in error.  I have not come to sell, but to buy.  I have no curios to dispose of; my uncle’s cabinet is bare to the wainscot; even were it still intact, I have done well on the Stock Exchange, and should more likely add to it than otherwise, and my errand to-day is simplicity itself.  I seek a Christmas present for a lady,” he continued, waxing more fluent as he struck into the speech he had prepared; “and certainly I owe you every excuse for thus disturbing you upon so small a matter.  But the thing was neglected yesterday; I must produce my little compliment at dinner; and, as you very well know, a rich marriage is not a thing to be neglected.”

There followed a pause, during which the dealer seemed to weigh this statement incredulously.  The ticking of many clocks among the curious lumber of the shop, and the faint rushing of the cabs in a near thoroughfare, filled up the interval of silence.

“Well, sir,” said the dealer, “be it so.  You are an old customer after all; and if, as you say, you have the chance of a good marriage, far be it from me to be an obstacle.  Here is a nice thing for a lady now,” he went on, “this hand-glass—­fifteenth century, warranted; comes from a good collection, too; but I reserve the name, in the interests of my customer, who was just like yourself, my dear sir, the nephew and sole heir of a remarkable collector.”

The dealer, while he thus ran on in his dry and biting voice, had stooped to take the object from its place; and, as he had done so, a shock had passed through Markheim, a start both of hand and foot, a sudden leap of many tumultuous passions to the face.  It passed as swiftly as it came, and left no trace beyond a certain trembling of the hand that now received the glass.

“A glass,” he said hoarsely, and then paused, and repeated it more clearly.  “A glass?  For Christmas?  Surely not?”

“And why not?” cried the dealer.  “Why not a glass?”

Markheim was looking upon him with an indefinable expression.  “You ask me why not?” he said.  “Why, look here—­look in it—­look at yourself!  Do you like to see it?  No! nor I—­nor any man.”

The little man had jumped back when Markheim had so suddenly confronted him with the mirror; but now, perceiving there was nothing worse on hand, he chuckled.  “Your future lady, sir, must be pretty hard favoured,” said he.

“I ask you,” said Markheim, “for a Christmas present, and you give me this—­this damned reminder of years, and sins and follies—­this hand-conscience!  Did you mean it?  Had you a thought in your mind?  Tell me.  It will be better for you if you do.  Come, tell me about yourself.  I hazard a guess now, that you are in secret a very charitable man.”

The dealer looked closely at his companion.  It was very odd, Markheim did not appear to be laughing; there was something in his face like an eager sparkle of hope, but nothing of mirth.