« said Mr. Merdle, »I do generally retain in my own hands the power
of exercising some preference - people in general would be pleased to call it
favour - as a sort of compliment for my care and trouble.«
    »And public spirit and genius,« Mr. Dorrit suggested.
    Mr. Merdle, with a dry, swallowing action, seemed to dispose of those
qualities like a bolus; then added, »As a sort of return for it. I will see, if
you please, how I can exert this limited power (for people are jealous, and it
is limited) to your advantage.«
    »You are very good,« replied Mr. Dorrit. »You are very good.«
    »Of course,« said Mr. Merdle, »there must be the strictest integrity and
uprightness in these transactions; there must be the purest faith between man
and man; there must be unimpeached and unimpeachable confidence; or business
could not be carried on.«
    Mr. Dorrit hailed these generous sentiments with fervour.
    »Therefore,« said Mr. Merdle, »I can only give you a preference to a certain
extent.«
    »I perceive. To a defined extent,« observed Mr. Dorrit.
    »Defined extent. And perfectly above-board. As to my advice, however,« said
Mr. Merdle, »that is another matter. That, such as it is -«
    Oh! Such as it was! (Mr. Dorrit could not bear the faintest appearance of
its being depreciated, even by Mr. Merdle himself.)
    »- That, there is nothing in the bonds of spotless honour between myself and
my fellow-man to prevent my parting with, if I choose. And that,« said Mr.
Merdle, now deeply intent upon a dust-cart that was passing the windows, »shall
be at your command whenever you think proper.«
    New acknowledgments from Mr. Dorrit. New passages of Mr. Merdle's hand over
his forehead. Calm and silence. Contemplation of Mr. Dorrit's waistcoat buttons
by Mr. Merdle.
    »My time being rather precious,« said Mr. Merdle, suddenly getting up, as if
he had been waiting in the interval for his legs, and they had just come, »I
must be moving towards the City. Can I take you anywhere, sir? I shall be happy
to set you down, or send you on. My carriage is at your disposal.«
    Mr. Dorrit bethought himself that he had business at his banker's.