"Fair and reasonable—that is exactly the thing—the value; and you know—
'The worth precise of anything
Is so much money as 'twill bring.'
And I'll make it bring what I say; and I make it a rule to treat money matters in the grossest terms, because that is the only language which is at once intelligible and direct—and grossness I believe to be the soul of business; and so, sir, tell him with my compliments, I shall expect five hundred pounds at ten o'clock in the morning, in Bank of England notes."
At this moment the servant announced the Rev. Isaac Dixie, and Mr. Dingwell stood up, and, looking with a kind of amusement and scorn round the room upon the dusty portraits, made a sharp bow to Cleve Verney, and saying,—
"That's all; good morning, sir"—with another nod, turned about, and walked jauntily out of the room.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE REV. ISAAC DIXIE SETS FORTH ON A MISSION.
There was, as Cleve knew, a basis of truth in all that Mr. Dingwell had said, which made his voice more grating, his eye more alarming, and his language more disgusting.