I lift a languid hand and point at a gold brooch. "That one," I say in a disinterested voice. I sigh heavily before continuing. "If that's the best you have...?"

The gold merchant from Belgae plucks the pin from its cradle of suede and holds it out for me to examine. I take it from him as though touching it will soil my hand and turn it over to examine it, hefting it a time or two to measure its weight.

"A bargain, madam, at 200 sestertii," he floats the price after appraising my rich garments.

I heave another sigh and disdainfully drop the brooch on the table. "Haven't you anything else," I ask him, "something on the order of these bracelets, perhaps?" With my fingertips, I brush the amethyst studded golden bracelets that adorn my arms.

The Belgae purses his lips. He has realized that this is not going to be an easy sale. "No, madam," he whines in his fractured Latin, "how could I have anything finer? Look again, madam, this is a beautiful piece!"

I curl my lip and turn away. Beckoning to my maid, I start to walk away.

Leaving his assistant to watch the merchandise, the merchant bursts out from his stall and interjects himself in front of me. "Please, madam, look again. For you, 5 pieces of gold." He is fairly dancing in the street.

"Little man, little man. Don't you think I know the worth of jewelry?" I look at him sternly now. "I might be persuaded to pay as high as 3 ...no more than that."

The merchant is looking desperate now. He pulls at his hair, and calculates whether there will be enough profit for him at that price. "Madam, please," he pleads, "give me 4 sestertii. I can go no lower."

Not much of a bargainer this one. Far too transparent. I brush off my cloak where he has managed to touch me, and nod again to the maid. Once again we set off down the street. I love these encounters, pitting my wits against the wily and the clever. It keeps my intellect razor keen.

Once again, the merchant dances in front of me. "Madam, you can have it for 3, you can have it for 3," he wheedles. I think it over.

"Done, Merchant." I look at all the stalls before me, just waiting for exploration. "Bring it to the gynaeceum this evening. Ask for Morga."

He nods and runs happily back to his stall. I catch the maid's look, and can't suppress a laugh. Had I bought the brooch in Greece, I would have paid far more than the 5 gold coins he asked in the first place!

Gods, I love it here in Camulodunum. Gods, I love to shop!