"That's a clear answer," said Buckhurst. "But how could I tell?--so much
_jockeying_ goes on in every profession--how could I tell that a lawyer
would be more conscientious than another man? But now you assure me of
it--I take it upon your word, and believe it in your case. About the
accommodation--_accommodation_ means money, does not it?--frankly, I have
not a shilling. But Mrs. Falconer is all _accommodation_. Try what you can
do with her--and by the way you began, I should hope you would do a great
deal," added he, laughing.

Alfred would not undertake to speak to his lady, unless the dean would, in
the first instance, make some sacrifice. He represented that he was not
asking for money, but for a relinquishment of a claim, which he apprehended
not to be justly due: "And the only use I shall ever make of what you have
shown me here, is to press upon your feelings, as I do at this moment,
the conviction of the injustice of that claim, which I am persuaded your
lawyers only instigated, and that you will abandon."

Buckhurst begged him not to be persuaded of any such thing. The instigation
of an attorney, he laughing said, was not in law counted the instigation of
the devil--at law no man talked of feelings. In matters of property judges
did not understand them, whatever figure they might make with a jury in
criminal cases--with an eloquent advocate's hand on his breast.

Alfred let Buckhurst go on with his vain wit and gay rhetoric till he had
nothing more to say, knowing that he was hiding consciousness of unhandsome
conduct. Sticking firmly to his point, Alfred showed that his client,
though gentle, was resolved, and that, unless Buckhurst yielded, law must
take its course--that though he should never give any hint, the premises
must be inspected, and disgrace and defeat must follow.