Mrs.Lee was pleased by this motion of Ratcliffe's, the more because she had supposed that Ratcliffe had no liking for Carrington.
She doubted whether Carrington would accept the place, but she hoped that it might modify his dislike for Ratcliffe, and she agreed to sound him on the subject.

There was something a little compromising in thus allowing herself to appear as the dispenser of Mr.Ratcliffe's patronage, but she dismissed this objection on the ground that Carrington's interests were involved, and that it was for him to judge whether he should take the place or not.

Perhaps the world would not be so charitable if the appointment were made.

What then?
Mrs.Lee asked herself the question and did not feel quite at ease.
So far as Carrington was concerned, she might have dismissed her doubts.
There was not a chance of his taking the place, as very soon appeared.
When she spoke to him on the subject, and repeated what Ratcliffe had said, his face flushed, and he sat for some moments in silence.

He never thought very rapidly, but now the ideas seemed to come so fast as to bewilder his mind.
The situation flashed before his eyes like electric sparks.