It would be useful for you to command a large number of votes." Cartwright's face got red.

Ellen was well informed; in fact, it was ominous that she knew so much.

Had she not been greedy, he thought she would have kept the shares in order to vote against him, but she obviously meant to sell them before the crash she expected came.

If a number of others agreed with her, his retirement would be forced.
"What price were you to pay ?" he asked.
Mrs.Cartwright told him, and he laughed.

"If Ellen found a buyer at a number of shillings less, she would be lucky! Well, I understand you didn't take her offer ?" "I did not," said Mrs.Cartwright tranquilly.