“Now, ladies,” said he, “I shall appeal to you. Here is a fender which at any other sale would hardly be offered without reserve, being, as I may say, for quality of steel and quaintness of design, a kind of thing”⁠—here Mr. Trumbull dropped his voice and became slightly nasal, trimming his outlines with his left finger⁠—“that might not fall in with ordinary tastes. Allow me to tell you that by-and-by this style of workmanship will be the only one in vogue⁠—half-a-crown, you said? thank you⁠—going at half-a-crown, this characteristic fender; and I have particular information that the antique style is very much sought after in high quarters. Three shillings⁠—three-and-sixpence⁠—hold it well up, Joseph! Look, ladies, at the chastity of the design⁠—I have no doubt myself that it was turned out in the last century! Four shillings, Mr. Mawmsey?⁠—four shillings.”