Мидлмарч

           However,Imadethemostoftheposition,andI’vealwaystakenmyglassingoodcompany.It’sbeenallonthesquarewithme;I’masopenastheday.Youwon’ttakeitillofmethatIdidn’tlookyouupbefore.I’vegotacomplaintthatmakesmealittledilatory.IthoughtyouweretradingandprayingawayinLondonstill,anddidn’tfindyouthere.ButyouseeIwassenttoyou,Nick—perhapsforablessingtobothofus."

           Mr.Rafflesendedwithajocosesnuffle:nomanfelthisintellectmoresuperiortoreligiouscant.Andifthecunningwhichcalculatesonthemeanestfeelingsinmencouldbe,calledintellect,hehadhisshare,forundertheblurtingrallyingtonewithwhichhespoketoBulstrode,therewasanevidentselectionofstatements,asiftheyhadbeensomanymovesatchess.MeanwhileBulstrodehaddeterminedonhismove,andhesaid,withgatheredresolution—

           "Youwilldowelltoreflect,Mr.Raffles,thatitispossibleforamantooverreachhimselfintheefforttosecureundueadvantage.AlthoughIamnotinanywayboundtoyou,Iamwillingtosupplyyouwitharegularannuity—inquarterlypayments—solongasyoufulfilapromisetoremainatadistancefromthisneighborhood.Itisinyourpowertochoose.Ifyouinsistonremaininghere,evenforashorttime,youwillgetnothingfromme.Ishalldeclinetoknowyou."

           "Ha,ha!"saidRaffles,withanaffectedexplosion,"thatremindsmeofadrolldogofathiefwhodeclinedtoknowtheconstable.