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.