Soames gave her a sharp look.It was clear to him that she could not take her Dartie seriously,and would go back on the whole thing if given half a chance.His own instinct had been firm in this matter from the first.To save a little scandal now would only bring on his sister and her children real disgrace and perhaps ruin later on if Dartie were allowed to hang on to them,going down-hill and spending the money James would leave his daughter.Though it was all tied up,that fellow would milk the settlements somehow,and make his family pay through the nose to keep him out of bankruptcy or even perhaps gaol!They left the shining carriage,with the shining horses and the shining-hatted servants on the Embankment,and walked up to Dreamer Q.C.'s Chambers in Crown Office Row.
"Mr.Bellby is here,sir,"said the clerk;"Mr.Dreamer will be ten minutes."Mr.Bellby,the junior--not as junior as he might have been,for Soames only employed barristers of established reputation;it was,indeed,something of a mystery to him how barristers ever managed to establish that which made him employ them--Mr.Bellby was seated,taking a final glance through his papers.He had come from Court,and was in wig and gown,which suited a nose jutting out like the handle of a tiny pump,his small shrewd blue eyes,and rather protruding lower lip--no better man to supplement and stiffen Dreamer.
The introduction to Winifred accomplished,they leaped the weather and spoke of the war.Soames interrupted suddenly:
"If he doesn't comply we can't bring proceedings for six months.Iwant to get on with the matter,Bellby."
Mr.Bellby,who had the ghost of an Irish brogue,smiled at Winifred and murmured:"The Law's delays,Mrs.Dartie.""Six months!"repeated Soames;"it'll drive it up to June!We shan't get the suit on till after the long vacation.We must put the screw on,Bellby"--he would have all his work cut out to keep Winifred up to the scratch.