"Ah;—there's the difficulty. His wife wouldn't do it, I suppose? She couldn't do him a better turn."
"He would never forgive her. And she would never consent to act against him."
"Could you interfere?"
"If necessary, I will;—but I hardly know him well enough."
"Has he no father or mother, or uncles or aunts? He must have somebody belonging to him," said Mr. Walker.
Then it occurred to Mr. Robarts that Dean Arabin would be the proper person to interfere. Dean Arabin and Mr. Crawley had been intimate friends in early life, and Dean Arabin knew more of him than did any man, at least in those parts. All this Mr. Robarts explained to Mr. Walker, and Mr. Walker agreed with him that the services of Dean Arabin should if possible be obtained. Mr. Robarts would at once write to Dean Arabin and explain at length all the circumstances of the case. "The worst of it is, he will hardly be home in time," said Mr. Walker. "Perhaps he would come a little sooner if you were to press it?"
"But we could act in his name in his absence, I suppose?—of course with his authority?"
"I wish he could be here a month before the assizes, Mr. Robarts. It would be better."
"And in the meantime shall I say anything to Mr. Crawley, myself, about employing a lawyer?"
"I think I would. If he turns upon you, as like enough he may, and abuses you, that will help us in one way. If he should consent, and perhaps he may, that would help us in the other way. I'm told he's been over and upset the whole coach at the palace."