He resolved
to convey a strong impression of his own standing.
"I am the chief partner in a great house of Greek merchants settled in
Palermo," he said. "My name is Charalambos Aristarchi, and I desire the
honour of speaking with Messer Angelo about the purchase of several
cargoes of glass for the King of Sicily."
"I will deliver your message, sir," said Zorzi. "Pray wait a minute, I
will open the door."
Aristarchi's big head disappeared at last.
"Yes!" growled the porter to Zorzi. "Open the door yourself, and take
the blame. The man has the face of a Turkish pirate, and his voice is
like the bellowing of several bulls."
Zorzi unbarred the door, which opened inward, and Aristarchi turned a
little sideways in order to enter, for his shoulders would have touched
the two door-posts. The slight and gracefully built Dalmatian looked at
him with some curiosity, standing aside to let him pass, before barring
the door again. Aristarchi, though not much taller than himself, was the
biggest man he had ever seen. He thanked Zorzi, who pushed forward the
porter's only chair for him to sit on while he waited.
"I will bring you an answer immediately," said Zorzi, and disappeared
down the corridor.
Aristarchi sat down, crossed one leg over the other, and took a
pistachio nut from his pouch.
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