$()7.$ William Securities is a dealer holding ABC securities$,$ buying the security at $$55\mathrm{.}55,$ selling

at $$57\mathrm{.}93.$ The ask price is $,$ while the bid$-$ask spread is

A$.$ $$55\mathrm{.}55$;$$2\mathrm{.}38$

B$.$ $$57\mathrm{.}93$;$$2\mathrm{.}38$

C$.$ Lower than the ask price; higher than the bid price

D$.$ Higher than the ask price; $$2\mathrm{.}38$