A third one, on the other side, still unoccupied, was surrounded by a group, waiting the moment of sale to begin.
A little before the sale commenced, a short, broad, muscular man, in a checked shirt considerably open at the bosom, and pantaloons much the worse for dirt and wear, elbowed his way through the crowd, like one who is going actively into a business; and, coming up to the group, began to examine them systematically.
Human property is high in the market; and is, therefore, well fed, well cleaned, tended, and looked after, that it may come to sale sleek, and strong, and shining.
Hence he replied that he had reasons for deferring his departure a little, and would be happy to go to the sale.
This expression was peculiarly noticeable in him at the sale, and those who had only seen him in his moods of gentle oddity or of bright enjoyment would have been struck with a contrast.
Here is a fender which at any other sale would hardly be offered with out reserve, being, as I may say, for quality of steel and quaintness of design, a kind of thing"--here Mr.
It was rather late in the sale. The excellent drawing-room furniture by the best makers; the rare and famous wines selected, regardless of cost, and with the well-known taste of the purchaser; the rich and complete set of family plate had been sold on the previous days.
The sale was at the old house in Russell Square, where we passed some evenings together at the beginning of this story.
"I entreat you to reflect, madame; for if you force the
sale, you will lose a hundred thousand francs."
French Frank was elated by the
sale, which I had bound with a twenty-dollar goldpiece.
He read, too, that Count Beist was rumored to have left for Wiesbaden, and that one need have no more gray hair, and of the
sale of a light carriage, and of a young person seeking a situation; but these items of information did not give him, as usual, a quiet, ironical gratification.
I have never met that sort of paragon myself, but I have seen these paragons advertised amongst ships for
sale. Such excess of virtue and good-nature on the part of a ship always provoked my mistrust.