“They were certainly fine chairs, Mr. Grimes!” said Parsons shaking his head.

“So so!” said the Corn-chandler, sitting down heavily, “So so, Parsons!” and he turned to glare at Bellew, who, lying back in an easy chair with his legs upon another, puffed at his pipe, and regarded all things with a placid interest.

It is not intended to record in these pages all the bids that were made as the afternoon advanced, for that would be fatiguing to write, and a weariness to read; suffice it that lots were put up, and regularly knocked down but always to Bellew, or Adam.  Which last, encouraged by Bellew’s bold advances, gaily roared down, and constantly out-bid all competitors with such unhesitating pertinacity, that murmurs rose, and swelled into open complaint.  In the midst of which, the fiery-visaged Corn-chandler, purple now, between heat, and vexation, loudly demanded that he lay down some substantial deposit upon what he had already purchased, failing which, he should, there and then, be took, and shook, and throwed out into the yard.

“Neck, and crop!” added Mr. Parsons.

“That seems to be a fair proposition,” smiled the Auctioneer, who had already experienced some doubts as to Adam’s financial capabilities, yet with his joviality all unruffled,—­“that seems to be a very fair proposal indeed.  If the gentleman will put down some substantial deposit now—­”

“Aye, for sure!” nodded Adam, stepping forward; and, unbuttoning a capacious pocket he drew out a handful of bank-notes, “shall I gi’e ye a hundred pound,—­or will fifty be enough?”

“Why,” said the Auctioneer, rubbing his hands as he eyed the fistful of bank-notes, “ten pound will be all that is necessary, sir,—­just to ensure good faith, you understand.”

Hereupon, Bellew beckoning to Adam, handed him a like amount which was duly deposited with the Auctioneer.

So, once more, the bidding began,—­once more lots were put up,—­and knocked down—­now to Adam, and now to Bellew.  The bed with the carved head-board had fallen to Adam after a lively contest between him, and Parsons, and the Corn-chandler, which had left the latter in a state of perspiring profanity, from which he was by no means recovered, when the Auctioneer once more rapped for silence.

“And now, gentlemen, last, but by no means least, we come to the gem of the sale,—­a side-board, gentlemen,—­a magnificent, mahogany side-board, being a superb example of the carver’s art!  Here is a side-board, gentlemen, which,—­if it can be equalled,—­cannot be excelled—­no, gentlemen, not if you were to search all the baronial halls, and lordly mansions in this land of mansions, and baronials.  It is a truly magnificent piece, in perfect condition,—­and to be sold at your own price.  I say no more.  Gentlemen,—­how much for this magnificent, mahogany piece?”

“Ten pound!”

“Eleven!”

“Fifteen!”

“Seventeen!” said Adam, who was rapidly drawing near the end of his resources.