This latter imperfection, he might perhaps venture to add, was not uncommonly to be met with in old houses.
The old man sat down in the easy-chair, and after a few moments' silence, said: 'In the first place, let me thank you for coming to London so promptly, at my almost unexplained request; I need scarcely add, at my cost.' 'At YOUR cost, my good sir!' cried Mr Pecksniff, in a tone of great surprise.
'It is not,' said Martin, waving his hand impatiently, 'my habit to put my--well! my relatives--to any personal expense to gratify my caprices.' 'Caprices, my good sir!' cried Mr Pecksniff 'That is scarcely the proper word either, in this instance,' said the old man.

'No.

You are right.' Mr Pecksniff was inwardly very much relieved to hear it, though he didn't at all know why.
'You are right,' repeated Martin.

'It is not a caprice.

It is built up on reason, proof, and cool comparison.