e to trust
her Ladyship. She may, or she may not, cause the necessary inquiries
to be made for the vindication of my niece's character. In a matter so
serious as this--I may say, in a duty which I owe to the memories of
my sister and my parents--I will not leave the responsibility to Lady
Lydiard. I will take it on myself. Let me add that I am able to pay the
necessary expenses. The earlier years of my life, Mr. Troy, have been
passed in the tuition of young ladies. I have been happy in meriting the
confidence of parents; and I have been strict in observing the golden
rules of economy. On my retirement, I have been able to invest a modest,
a very modest, little fortune in the Funds. A portion of it is at the
service of my niece for the recovery of her good name; and I desire to
place the necessary investigation confidentially in your hands. You are
acquainted with the case, and the case naturally goes to you. I could
not prevail on myself--I really could not prevail on myself--to mention
it to a stranger. That is the business on which I wished to consult you.
Please say nothing more about Lady Lydiard--the subject is inexpressibly
disagreeable to me. I will only trespass on your kindness to tell me if
I have succeeded in making myself understood."

Miss Pink leaned back in her chair, at the exact angle permitted by the
laws of propriety; rested her left elbow on the palm of her right hand,
and lightly supported her cheek with her forefinger and thumb. In this
position she waited Mr. Troy's answer--the living picture of human
obstinacy in its most respectable form.

If Mr. Troy had not been a lawyer--in other words, if he had not been
professionally capable of persisting in his own course, in the face of
every conceivable difficulty and discouragement--Miss Pink might have
remained in undisturbed possession of her own opinions. As it was, Mr.
Troy had got his hearing at last; and no matter how obstinately she
might close her eyes to it, Miss Pink was now destined to have the other
side of the case presented to her view.

"I am sincerely obliged to you, madam, for the expression of your
confidence in me," Mr. Troy began; "at the same time, I must beg you to
excuse me if I decline to accept your proposal."

Miss Pink had not expected to receive such an answer as this. The
lawyer's brief refusal surprised and annoyed her.

"Why do you decline to assist me?" she asked.

"Because," answered Mr. Troy, "my services are al