'I only think he's done himself very well in getting you to take the place in this condition.
How much do you give for it ?' Althea, more coldly, named the sum.

It was moderate; Miss Buckston had to grant that, though but half-satisfied that there was no intention to 'do' her friend.

'When once you get into the hands of hard-up fashionable folk,' she said, 'it's as well to look sharp.' Althea did not quite know what to say to this.

She had never in the past opposed Miss Buckston, and it would be difficult to tell her now that she took too much upon herself.

At a hint of hesitancy, she knew, Miss Buckston would pass to and fro over her like a steam-roller, nearly as noisy, and to her own mind as composedly efficient.