The straw, paper, and cottonwool, in which their contents had been packed, had been tossed out with a careless or impatient hand, and littered the carpet.
Among the litter stood here and there some Greek vases of different sizes; in particular, a superb pair, covered with figures; beside which stood the owner of Mannering, talking to an apparently young man with an eye-glass, who was sitting on the floor closely examining the vases.

The Squire turned a furrowed brow towards his approaching visitor, and putting down a small bronze he had been holding raised a warning hand.
'How do you do, Chicksands?
Very sorry, but I'm much too filthy to touch.

And I'm horribly busy! These things arrived last night, and Mr.Levasseur has kindly come over to help me unpack them.

Don't know if you've met him.

Mr.Levasseur--Sir Henry Chicksands.' The man on the floor looked up carelessly, just acknowledging Sir Henry's slight inclination.