“It was sheer insolence in you, I tell you,” said Mr. Boffin, “even to think of this young lady. This young lady was far above you . This young lady was no match for you . This young lady was lying in wait (as she was qualified to do) for money, and you had no money.”

Bella hung her head and seemed to shrink a little from Mr. Boffin’s protecting arm.

“What are you, I should like to know,” pursued Mr. Boffin, “that you were to have the audacity to follow up this young lady? This young lady was looking about the market for a good bid; she wasn’t in it to be snapped up by fellows that had no money to lay out; nothing to buy with.”