He felt that Ratclife had fairly out-generaled him, and he was at his wits' end to know what card he could play that would not lead directly into Ratcliffe's trump suit.
To refuse such an offer was hard enough at best, for a man who wanted money and professional advancement as he did, but to injure himself and help Ratcliffe by this refusal, was abominably hard.

Nevertheless, he was obliged to admit that he would rather not take a position so directly under Ratcliffe's control.

Madeleine said no more, but he thought she looked annoyed, and he felt himself in an intolerably painful situation.

He was not certain that she herself might not have had some share in proposing the plan, and that his refusal might not have some mortifying consequences for her.

What must she think of him, then?
At this very moment he would have given his right arm for a word of real affection from Mrs.Lee.He adored her.