Encountering the objectionable Roper, he smiled upon him contemptuously tolerant.
There being no hope of effective assistance from relatives, Mrs.Peak turned for counsel to a man of business, with whom her husband had made acquaintance in his farming days, and who held a position of influence at Twybridge.

This was Mr.Moxey, manufacturing chemist, famous in the Midlands for his 'sheep and cattle dressings', and sundry other products of agricultural enterprise.

His ill-scented, but lucrative, works were situated a mile out of the town; and within sight of the reeking chimneys stood a large, plain house, uncomfortably like an 'institution' of some kind, in which he dwelt with his five daughters.
Thither, one evening, Mrs.Peak betook herself, having learnt that Mr.
Moxey dined at five o'clock, and that he was generally to be found digging in his garden until sunset.

Her reception was civil.

The manufacturer--sparing of words, but with no unkindly face--requested that Godwin should be sent to see him, and promised to do his best to be of use.