“What?” cried Bella, holding him prisoner by the coat with both hands. “When you saw what a greedy little wretch you were the patron of, you determined to show her how much misused and misprized riches could do, and often had done, to spoil people; did you? Not caring what she thought of you (and Goodness knows that was of no consequence!) you showed her, in yourself, the most detestable sides of wealth, saying in your own mind, ‘This shallow creature would never work the truth out of her own weak soul, if she had a hundred years to do it in; but a glaring instance kept before her may open even her eyes and set her thinking.’ That was what you said to yourself, was it, sir?”

“I never said anything of the sort,” Mr. Boffin declared in a state of the highest enjoyment.