There will, I hope, be a balance.

What is the bidding now ?" The girl listened, but for a few moments there was a significant silence, and her heart sank when a single voice rose.

One or two others joined in, and there was silence again until the auctioneer repeated the offer.

Then she turned quivering towards her father.
"You heard him ?" she said.
Townshead groaned despondently, "I am afraid the prospect of a balance is very small," he said.
Again there was a stillness in the clearing, until the auctioneer's voice rose raucously expostulating.

"It is really preposterous, gentlemen," he said.