[ he seems -- by all accounts -- thoroughly charmed by her opinion. but he doesn't dare let it show too blatantly. instead, it manifests in a twinkling eye and a twitching lip. ]

Money talks; merit walks. [ an american loyalist had once told him so and sharpe had taken it to heart. ] Of course, they ain't all useless stuffed silk stockings. Some have a mind for it. And some -- however rarely -- are granted their commissions on the field. They ain't worth a wooden penny, though.

[ he'd know; he once tried to sell his with little success. ]