Taking this into consideration, at what amount do you estimate, in your own mind, the pecuniary assistance which you will require ?" "May I count on your ladyship's, kindness to correct me if my own ignorant calculations turn out to be wrong ?" Grace asked, innocently.
Here again the words, properly interpreted, had a special signification of their own: "It is stipulated, on my part, that I put myself up to auction, and that my estimate shall be regulated by your ladyship's highest bid." Thoroughly understanding the stipulation, Lady Janet bowed, and waited gravely.
Gravely, on her side, Grace began.
"I am afraid I should want more than a hundred pounds," she said.
Lady Janet made her first bid.

"I think so too." "More, perhaps, than two hundred ?" Lady Janet made her second bid.

"Probably." "More than three hundred?
Four hundred?
Five hundred ?" Lady Janet made her highest bid.

"Five hundred pounds will do," she said.
In spite of herself, Grace's rising color betrayed her ungovernable excitement.

From her earliest childhood she had been accustomed to see shillings and sixpences carefully considered before they were parted with.