If he accepted, he would at least be true to his chief.

If he refused, as Ratcliffe expected, it would be a proof that some means must be found of getting him out of the way.

In any case the offer was a new thread in the net that Mr.Ratcliffe flattered himself he was rapidly winding about the affections and ambitions of Mrs.Lee.Yet he had reasons of his own for thinking that Carrington, more easily than any other man, could cut the meshes of this net if he chose to do so, and therefore that it would be wiser to postpone action until Carrington were disposed of.
Without a moment's delay he made inquiries as to all the vacant or eligible offices in the gift of the government outside his own department.

Very few of these would answer his purpose.

He wanted some temporary law business that would for a time take its holder away to a distance, say to Australia or Central Asia, the further the better; it must be highly paid, and it must be given in such a way as not to excite suspicion that Ratcliffe was concerned in the matter.