Quotation from: The Arrow of Gold

Written by: Joseph Conrad

"And there are also certain stories of the discovery and
acquisition of some unique objects of art. The sly approaches, the
astute negotiations, the lying and the circumventing . . . for the
love of beauty, you know."

With his dark face and with the perpetual smiles playing about his
grimness, Mr. Blunt appeared to me positively satanic. Mills' hand
was toying absently with an empty glass. Again they had forgotten
my existence altogether.