ion of the adverse party.

Mr. Oldfield was one of those prudent lawyers who search for the
adversary's strong points, that their clients may not be taken by
surprise; and that is very wise of them. But wise things require to be
done wisely: he sometimes carried this system so far as to discourage
his client too much. It is a fine thing to make your client think his
case the weaker of the two, and then win it for him easily; that
gratifies your own foible, professional vanity. But suppose, with your
discouraging him so, he flings up or compromises a winning case?
Suppose he takes the huff and goes to some other lawyer, who will warm
him with hopes instead of cooling him with a one-sided and hostile view
of his case?

In the present discussion Mr. Oldfield's habit of beginning by admiring
his adversaries, together with his knowledge of law and little else,
and his secret conviction that Sir Charles was unsound of mind,
combined to paralyze him; and, not being a man of invention, he could
not see his way out of the wood at all; he could negative Mr. Angelo's
suggestions and give good reasons, but he could not, or did not,
suggest anything better to be done.

Lady Bassett listened to his negative wisdom with a bitter smile, and
said, at last, with a sigh: "It seems, then, we are to sit quiet and do
nothing, while Mr. Bassett and his solicitor strike blow upon blow.
There! I'll fight my own battle; and do you try and find some way of
defending the poor souls that are in trouble because they did not sit
with their hands before them when their benefactor was outraged.
Command my purse, if money will save them from prison."

Then she rose with dignity, and walked like a camelopard all down the
room on the side opposite to Mr. Oldfield. Angelo flew to open the
door, and in a whisper begged a word with her in private. She bowed
ascent, and passed on from the room.

"What a fine creature!" said Mr. Oldfield. "How she walks!"

Mr. Angelo made no reply to this, but asked him what was to be done for
the poor men: "they will be up before the Bench to-morrow."

Stung a little by Lady Bassett's remark, Mr. Oldfield answered,
promptly, "We must get some tradesmen to bail them with our money. It
will only be a few pounds apiece. If the bail is accepted, they shall
offer pecuniary compensation, and get up a defense; find somebody to
swear Sir Charles was sane--that sort of evidence is always to be got.
Counsel must do the rest. Si