Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:

Now here let me say frankly; I have sought the services of one so far off from London ______ some one resident there.

Correct option is B

Explanation:

The correct answer is instead of.

"Instead of" is used when we are talking about substituting or choosing one thing over another. In this sentence, the speaker is emphasizing that they sought someone else, probably from a different place, instead of someone from London.
"Instead of" works here because the sentence implies that the services were chosen from someone far from London in place of someone in London.

So, the correct sentence would be:
"Now here let me say frankly; I have sought the services of one so far off from London instead of some one resident there."

Information Booster:

What does "instead of" mean?

"Instead of" means in place of or as a substitute for. It indicates a replacement of one option with another.

Example:

She chose to eat an apple instead of an orange.
They decided to go to the beach instead of the park.

Common uses of "instead of":

To show preference for one thing over another: I went to the park instead of the beach.
To suggest an alternative action: He called me instead of sending an email.

Additional Knowledge:

"on behalf of" - 

"On behalf of" is used when you represent someone else. It would change the meaning of the sentence entirely. It would suggest the speaker is acting as a representative, which doesn't fit the context of choosing someone instead of someone else.
Example: He spoke on behalf of his team.

"on account of" - 

"On account of" is used to mean "because of" or "due to." This doesn't fit the meaning here, as the sentence isn't suggesting a cause or reason but a substitution.
Example: The game was postponed on account of the rain.

"except for" -
"Except for" is used to indicate exclusion of something, which doesn't fit in the context of choosing or substituting one person for another.
Example: Everyone was present except for Tom.