“Perception of what?”
“Of the fitness of things,” she answered.
“That is just what I do see,” I returned. “There is no man in S——better fitted for conducting this case than Mr. Wallingford.”
“She will never place it in his hands; you may take a woman's word for that,” said my wife confidently. “Of all living men he is the last one to whom she could talk of the humiliating particulars involved in a case like this.”
“Suppose you suggest his name to her. Twelve years of such a life as she has led may have almost obliterated the memory of that passage in her life.”
“Don't believe it. A woman never forgets a passage like that; particularly when the events of every passing day but serve to remind her of the error she once committed.”
“I don't know what else to advise,” said I. “She ought to have a good and discreet man to represent her, or all may be lost.”
“Would you have any objection to confer with Mr. Wallingford on the subject in a private, confidential way?”
“None in the world,” I replied.
“Will you see him at once?” The interest of Constance was too strongly excited to brook delay.