"I'm certain he hasn't. Only an expert could have."
"Would it be perfectly fair to him?"
"To him? Perfectly fair. You buy them at his own valuation."
"I see. I should like to do that—if—if it can be managed."
"I think it can be managed. My father isn't likely to settle with Mr. Pilkington without consulting me. If he has settled we must try and get him to withdraw."
"Oh, surely there would be no difficulty about that?"
He said nothing. It was really terrible the way she took integrity for granted. To be sure his father had a reputation with the family. He remembered how Sir Joseph used to praise him to his face as the only honest dealer in London. But Sir Joseph was in the habit of buying books, not selling them.
He rose and turned away, evading her innocent eyes.
"I hope not. I'll see Mr. Pilkington about it. By the way, here is Mr. Pilkington. Did you expect him?"
"No, I—" Her voice died away, extinguished in her horror.