“Ah! Mr. Ladislaw! the frame alone is worth that. Ladies and gentlemen, for the credit of the town! Suppose it should be discovered hereafter that a gem of art has been amongst us in this town, and nobody in Middlemarch awake to it. Five guineas⁠—five seven-six⁠—five ten. Still, ladies, still! It is a gem, and ‘Full many a gem,’ as the poet says, has been allowed to go at a nominal price because the public knew no better, because it was offered in circles where there was⁠—I was going to say a low feeling, but no!⁠—Six pounds⁠—six guineas⁠—a Guydo of the first order going at six guineas⁠—it is an insult to religion, ladies; it touches us all as Christians, gentlemen, that a subject like this should go at such a low figure⁠—six pounds ten⁠—seven⁠—”