“But let me represent to you,” returned Lightwood, “speaking now with professional profundity, and not with individual imbecility, that the offer of such an immense reward is a temptation to forced suspicion, forced construction of circumstances, strained accusation, a whole toolbox of edged tools.”

“Well,” said Mr. Boffin, a little staggered, “that’s the sum we put o’ one side for the purpose. Whether it shall be openly declared in the new notices that must now be put about in our names⁠—”

“In your name, Mr. Boffin; in your name.”

“Very well; in my name, which is the same as Mrs. Boffin’s, and means both of us, is to be considered in drawing ’em up. But this is the first instruction that I, as the owner of the property, give to my lawyer on coming into it.”