The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 200: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

— LADY BESS 183 ting manner, “ Well, I don’t know. I always like to deal with your ladyship, you are so good and generous, but I really couldn’t say more than thirty pounds, and that would be quite a stretch, to oblige you.” ~- “Oh, never mind,” said Lady Bess, carelessly. ‘‘ I do not intend to take less than fifty, and as I am in no particular want of money at this moment, I will keep the trinkets till I am. Or perhaps I may take a gallop down to Gravesend one of these fine mornings and see what your brother Israel will offer.”’ ‘““ Stop, stop, my lady,’’ exclaimed old Solomon, evidently not wishing to let a good bargain slip out of his hands. “| —I—don’t mind saying forty, and that’s the very outside.” ‘“‘ Give me over the things, you old scoundrel,” said Lady Bess, more good-naturedly than angrily. ‘“‘ I am resolved not to part with them under the fifty.” Solomon Patch continued turning the watch and chain over and over in his hand; then he examined the rings one after the other; then he recurred to the watch, opening it, examining the works, and, in short, scrutinizing it most minutely in every point. At length, after several fruitless attempts to beat down Lady Bess in her price, he gave her the fifty pounds she demanded and walked off with the spoil. “ Now,” said Chiffin, as soon as Solomon Patch had quitted the room, “ what about this little business that you have been talking of? Something that you and I can do together, you know, and which is to make us better friends than we have yet been? ”’ “ Oh, you must not think,” exclaimed Lady Bess, some- what haughtily, “that I want to curry favour with you, Chiffin. But if I should be able to let you into a good thing,’ she added, with her wonted frankness of humour, “perhaps you will in future adopt a more civil tone toward me.”’ “ Well, I don’t know but what I should give you my vote if the whole lot of us that frequent Sol. Patch’s were to elect a captain. So you see I haven’t really any particular dishke to you, Lady Bess,” and as Chiffin thus spoke he endeavoured to look as pleasant as possible. “There,” said Madge, addressing herself to the female GOmicdoo Ss (C(O)