And then Mr. Crabwitz elicited her view of the case with great ease.
On that evening, about nine, Mr. Dockwrath did go over to Paradise Row, and did allow himself to be persuaded to mix a glass of brandy and water and light a cigar. 'My missus tells me, sir, that you belong to the profession as well as myself.'
'Oh yes; I'm a lawyer, Mr. Dockwrath.'
'Practising in town as an attorney, sir?'
Not as an attorney on my own hook exactly. I chiefly employ my time in getting up cases for barristers. There's a good deal done in that way.'
'Oh, indeed,' said Mr. Dockwrath, beginning to feel himself the bigger man of the two; and from that moment he patronized his companion instead of allowing himself to be patronized.
This went against the grain with Mr. Crabwitz, but, having an object to gain, he bore it. 'We hear a great deal up in London just at present about this Orley Farm case, and I always hear your name as connected with it. I had no idea when I was taking these lodgings that I was coming into a house belonging to that Mr. Dockwrath.'
'The same party, sir,' said Mr. Dockwrath, blowing the smoke out of his mouth as he looked up to the ceiling.
And then by degrees Mr. Crabwitz drew him into conversation. Dockwrath was by nature quite as clever a man as Crabwitz, and in such a matter as this was not one to be outwitted easily; but in truth he had no objection to talk about the Orley Farm case. 'I have taken it up on public motives, Mr. Cooke,' he said, 'and I mean to go through with it.'
'Oh, of course; in such a case as that you will no doubt go through with it?'
'That's my intention, I assure you. And I tell you what; young Mason,—that's the son of the widow of the old man who made the will———'
'Or rather who did not make it, as you say.'
'Yes, yes; he made the will; but he did not make the codicil—and that young Mason has no more right to the property than you have.'
'Hasn't he now?'
'No; and I can prove it too.'
'Well; the general opinion in the profession is that Lady Mason will stand her ground and hold her own. I don't know what the points are myself, but I have heard it discussed, and that is certainly what people think.'
'Then people will find that they are very much mistaken.'
'I was talking to one of Round's young men about it, and I fancy they are not very sanguine.'
'I do not care a fig for Round or his young men. It would be
