It was Mrs. Newman. She is worth anything between five and six figures, and hunts the antique indiscriminately.
Ginger bowed comprehendingly and began talking again.
"Ladies and gentlemen, six pounds offered for a signed Van Ruiter. Look, you can see the signature. Is this to go at six pounds? There's no reserve. Van Ruiter's 'Two Windmills' going at six pounds. Any advance? Sir Robert, a man of your taste—"
Sir Robert Firley had been looking on waveringly. He is a man of no taste at all except it be in the matter of old brandy; but he hates Mrs. Newman and he wavered no longer.
"Six guineas," he said.
"Seven pounds," said Mrs. Newman.
"Guineas," growled Sir Robert.
"Eight pounds," said Mrs. Newman.
"Guineas," from Sir Robert.
"Ten pounds," said Mrs. Newman more shrilly.