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"They're works of art," said Aunt Queen, "of a special sort They're pictures, complete little pictures, that's what matters Small, intricate and intense Let's use your ain; that's what you find in many of these "

She was in a rapture

"One can wear them," she said, "but it doesn't cheapen them to do it You yourself just spoke of the charm " She touched the Medusa at her breast "And of course I find so unique in every one I acquire In fact, there's infinite variety in ca Lestat another exa a bull, and there is a goddess behind hiure in front I've never seen another like it, though I have hundreds of ical scenes "

"They are intense, yes," said Lestat "I see your point completely, and it's truly divine, yes "

She looked about for a e shell cameo and offered it to him

"Now that's Rebecca at the Well," she said "A co from the Bible, don't you know, froer to find a wife for his son Isaac, and Rebecca cae well "

"Yes, I know the story," Lestat said quietly "And it's an excellent cameo too "

She looked at hierly, as ernails

"That was one of the first ca it back from hian I was given ten altogether of that exact sah all were di

fferent in their carvings, and I have them all here There's a story to it, to be sure "

He was obviously curious, and seemed to possess all the time in the world

"Tell me," he said simply

"Oh, but how I have behaved!" she suddenly re you to stand there as if you were bad boys brought before the principal Forgive me, you must sit down Oh, but I am witless to be so remiss in my own boudoir! For shame!"

I was about to object, to declare it unnecessary, but I saw that Lestat wanted to know her, and she was having such a wonderful time

"Quinn," she declared, "you bring those two chairs here We'll make a cozy circle, Lestat, if I'm to tell a tale "