Whether the upright Bowes drew the line at the latter figure, and refused to sell his honor for less than the ruling rates of a street-walker's virtue, I know not.

It was the lowest quotation that came to my knowledge, but he may have gone cheaper.

I have always observed that when men or women begin to traffic in themselves, their price falls as rapidly as that of a piece of tainted meat in hot weather.

If one could buy them at the rate they wind up with, and sell them at their first price, there would be room for an enormous profit.
The cheapest I ever knew a Rebel officer to be bought was some weeks after this at Florence.

The sick exchange was still going on.