The old lawyer smiled good-humoredly as he replied gallantly:
"I don't know much about music, m'm; I came to see you." Looking around he added: "You've got a nice place here."
He spoke in his characteristic manner—short, nervous, explosive sentences, which had often terrified his opponents in court.
"Lawyers are such flatterers," laughed Alicia as she nervously fanned herself, and looked around to see if her guests were watching.
"Lawyers only flatter when they want to," interrupted grimly Mr. Jeffries, who had just joined the group.
Alicia turned to greet a new arrival and the lawyer continued chatting with his host.
"I suppose you'll take a rest now, after your splendid victory," said the banker.
Judge Brewster shook his head dubiously.
"No, sir, we lawyers never rest. We can't. No sooner is one case disposed of than another crops up to claim our attention. The trouble with this country is that we have too much law. If I were to be guilty of an epigram I would say that the country has so much law that it is practically lawless."
"So you're preparing another case, eh?" said Mr. Jeffries, interested. "What is it—a secret?"