'He defies the usurer, does he?
Well, we shall see.

"Honesty is the best policy," is it?
We'll try that too.' He stopped, and then walked on again.
'He is content,' said Ralph, relaxing into a smile, 'to set his known character and conduct against the power of money--dross, as he calls it.
Why, what a dull blockhead this fellow must be! Dross to, dross! Who's that ?' 'Me,' said Newman Noggs, looking in.

'Your niece.' 'What of her ?' asked Ralph sharply.
'She's here.' 'Here!' Newman jerked his head towards his little room, to signify that she was waiting there.
'What does she want ?' asked Ralph.
'I don't know,' rejoined Newman.

'Shall I ask ?' he added quickly.
'No,' replied Ralph.

'Show her in! Stay.' He hastily put away a padlocked cash-box that was on the table, and substituted in its stead an empty purse.